APSRTC JAC demands cancellation of e-bus tenders awarded to private firms

Union leaders of APSRTC JAC employees present a statement to MT Krishna Babu, Chief Secretary, Transport Department, Vijayawada on Thursday. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of APSRTC employee unions on Thursday demanded that the Andhra Pradesh government cancel the tenders awarded to private operators to run electric buses. The government should procure and operate buses through APSRTC, the JAC said.

JAC conveners Y. Srinivasa Rao and Palisetti Damodara Rao said statements were submitted to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Principal Secretary, Transport Department, MT Krishna Babu and APSRTC management, highlighting several demands.

The main demands included filling up of 10,000 vacancies, purchase of 4,000 new buses, resolution of issues arising out of the Stree Shakti scheme, clearing of outstanding arrears of PRC and DA, announcement of four pending DAs and Interim Relief (IR) and immediate constitution of the 12th Pay Revision Commission (PRC).

Leaders said that if the government does not withdraw its decision to hand over electric buses to private operators, APSRTC employees will start phased agitation programs across the state.

As part of this, preparatory conferences will be held in Vizianagaram, Vijayawada, Nellore, Tirupati and Anantapur between June 16 and 20, they said.

JAC leaders have expressed apprehension that the government is trying to hand over valuable land at the depots along with operation of electric buses to private agencies, which could lead to gradual privatization of APSRTC. They demanded the reopening of depots vacated for private electric bus operators and opposed any further transfer of RTC assets.

They stressed that APSRTC should be strengthened by increasing fleet strength and recruitment rather than privatisation.

As part of the agitation, on June 23 and 24, the employees will wear red ribbons and hold gate meetings and pickets at all warehouses and units across the state. A state-level JAC meeting will be held in Vijayawada on June 28 to decide the way forward, they added.

Published – 11 Jun 2026 22:55 IST