Hyderabad: Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka travelled by Metro Rail and a TGSRTC bus to review the new RTC–Metro Common Pass. One pass now works on both services. The state government calls the Metro–RTC integration another significant step towards a more convenient and efficient public transport system in Hyderabad.
Bhatti Vikramarka rode the Metro on the Common Pass from Begumpet Metro Station to Jubilee Hills Check Post. Ministers Ponnam Prabhakar, Vivek Venkataswamy and Azharuddin joined him. So did MP Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy, MLAs Ganesh and Naveen Yadav, and senior officials.
During the journey, the Deputy Chief Minister spoke directly with several passengers about their experience. He asked whether they faced any difficulty in switching from the Metro to buses. He also asked whether the new system had made their journey easier.
Several passengers told him the Common Pass was very useful. Reaching their final destination by RTC bus after a Metro ride saves them time, they said. They also no longer need a separate ticket for the next leg. The integration has reduced the confusion they previously faced over which bus and route to take after leaving the Metro, they added. In their view, the link benefits daily commuters and will make public transport more convenient.
From Jubilee Hills Check Post, Bhatti Vikramarka and his ministerial colleagues took a TGSRTC bus to the Secretariat. On the bus, he spoke to passengers. He sought their views on the Common Pass, travel convenience and the integration of Metro and bus services.
Bhatti says Common Pass will ease passengers’ difficulties
Bhatti Vikramarka said the RTC–Metro Common Pass will be highly beneficial to passengers. The same pass works in a coordinated manner on Metro and RTC buses, so it will reduce the difficulties and confusion passengers face in reaching their destinations, he said. Women and other Metro passengers told him the system was convenient, he added. He said RTC buses after getting off the Metro will make it easier for people to reach their homes, offices and other destinations.
The government aims to integrate different modes of public transport and give passengers a seamless travel experience, Bhatti said. Metro and RTC services are now integrated. The government is also considering integrating other modes, including auto-rickshaws and Uber, in the future, he added. He thanked Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar for introducing the Common Pass to enhance passenger convenience.
Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said the government introduced the RTC–Metro Common Pass to make Hyderabad’s public transport system more convenient and efficient. Passengers can use both RTC and Metro services with a single pass, so the facility will save them time, effort and money, he said. The Minister observed that strengthening public transport is an important solution to the city’s growing traffic congestion.
Ponnam said the city needs coordinated and convenient RTC and Metro services to encourage people to shift from private vehicles to public transport. To reduce the travel burden, the government introduced Daily Passes, Monthly Passes and the Common Pass, he said. He assured that the government will improve Common Pass services further based on passenger feedback.
The government aims to provide better public transport facilities that are affordable and accessible, Ponnam said. Public transport will play a crucial role in Hyderabad’s future development, traffic management and in reducing citizens’ travel difficulties, he added.
Transport Department Special Chief Secretary Vikas Raj, Government Advisor (Urban Transport–Metro) N.V.S. Reddy, Metro MD Sarfaraz Ahmed, Metro Additional Managing Director B. Ajith Reddy, RTC MD Nagireddy and other officials took part in the programme.
