On the inaugural day of the Mahalakshmi scheme, approximately four lakh passengers availed themselves of free bus rides offered by the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC). Despite the usual daily sale of around 27 lakh tickets in December, the count dropped to 23 lakh on Saturday, highlighting the significant participation of women passengers during the free travel period from 2 pm to 12 am.
Launched by the Chief Minister at 1:30 pm, the scheme led to a notable decrease in TSRTC’s daily average earnings per kilometer (EPK), which typically stands at Rs 48 but dipped to around Rs 40 on Saturday. Conductors anticipate a surge in bus ridership, including non-peak hours, starting from Monday.
A conductor from the Musheerabad depot shared insights, noting that a majority of tickets were purchased by women passengers, as opposed to the usual bus pass holders among working men and students. The conductor observed a significant decrease in the number of tickets sold to men, with his bag less than half full.
Also Read: Telangana Women Welcome Free Bus Travel, Conductors Express Concerns
Similarly, a conductor from the Barkatpura depot mentioned the unusual Sunday rush, a departure from the norm. Despite Sundays typically experiencing lower demand, the Mahalakshmi scheme led to full buses in certain areas, signaling the anticipation of substantial crowds, a scenario the conductors are prepared to handle
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