The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) is set to enhance its fleet by adding 70 new Metro Deluxe buses to the existing 55 already operating in Hyderabad. These new buses will serve key routes including Uppal, Mehidipatnam, Secunderabad, ECIL, Jagadgirigutta, and LB Nagar.

The Metro Deluxe buses are scheduled to be deployed on high-demand routes with improved frequency, operating at intervals of 15-20 minutes. Current routes covered by TGSRTC include Uppal-Mehdipatnam, Secunderabad-ECIL, Koti, and Abdullahpurmet, facilitating better connectivity for commuters.

Expected to be on the roads by the end of September, these buses differ from the City Ordinary and Metro Express services, which are part of the Mahalakshmi scheme. Unlike those services, all passengers, including women, will need to pay fares on the Metro Deluxe buses. The Mahalakshmi scheme, benefiting approximately 1.4 million women daily, will not apply to this new service.

The phased launch of the Metro Deluxe buses aims to create a new revenue stream for TGSRTC, particularly following a significant decline in ticket revenue—down by around 70%—due to the Mahalakshmi scheme, which has led to only 30% of passengers currently paying for their tickets.

In August, TGSRTC announced the fare for a Metro Green Deluxe monthly bus pass at Rs 1,450, which permits travel on Metro Deluxe buses as well as Metro Express, e-Metro Express non-AC, and City Ordinary buses within the city and suburban areas. Additional pass options include the Pushpak AC general monthly pass at Rs 5,000, Green Metro Luxury AC pass at Rs 1,900, Metro Express pass at Rs 1,300, and City Ordinary pass at Rs 1,150. (siasat)