Andhra Pradesh – Karnataka First Major Inter-State Bus Operations to Resume; Promises Signs of Recovery

Andhra Pradesh – Karnataka First Major Inter-State Bus Operations to Resume; Promises Signs of Recovery
Image source: Google

Hyderabad: As inter-state bus operations have been resumed between Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, Abhibus.com, a leading online bus ticketing aggregator in India, has seen a tremendous surge in online bus ticket enquiries by the passengers on the popular routes between the two states. Due to the pandemic COVID-19 outbreak, it has been a couple of months since the passengers had to confine to their homes. Starting early June, they were able to travel within the state. However, with the ease of inter-state bus services by state-owned RTCs and private bus operators, now the passengers can easily commute between the states by following the mandatory precautionary COVID-19 personal hygienic and sanitization measures.

On the first day of restarting inter-state bus services, the APSRTC and KSRTC have commenced more than 100 services connecting 28 Cities and towns of Andhra Pradesh with Bengaluru, the IT capital of the country. More than 30,000 Passengers have already inter-state services and reached their homes safely. The opening of the first major inter-state operations shows governments’ intent to resume bus transport.

The private bus operators spread their services to every corner of the Andhra Pradesh by connecting various towns/cities of Andhra Pradesh with Bengaluru, Mysore, and Bellary, etc. apart from a few more important towns of Karnataka. While there were 481 bus services from Andhra Pradesh to Karnataka route, mainly to Bengaluru, the Karnataka to Andhra Pradesh route has seen 529 bus services, the highest ever inter-state services in a route in the country after the Unlock 1.0.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Rohit Sharma, Chief Operating Officer, Abhibus said, “We have received an overwhelming response by the passengers to book their bus seats on resuming inter-state bus services between Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. While both the RTCs have commenced their operations, the ailing private bus operators too have shown their commitment to providing the connectivity by operating more than 1,000 services in a single day between the two states. This is really an encouraging trend and clearly shows how eagerly the passengers have been waiting to meet their loved ones and reaching to their native locations. We could see all of them are following the best personal hygienic practices as they are fully aware of the situation and cooperating with the service providers, which is a good move”.

Mr Rohit Sharma further said, “This trend would definitely help other states to open their borders for inter-state bus services – a common man’s preferred travel choice –  that will support to reviving the troubled industry which has been bleeding badly on revenue front due to the pandemic.”

Key Metrics of Inter-State Bus Services:

  • APSRTC has resumed 41 services from Andhra Pradesh to Karnataka
  • They have operated 60 bus services from Karnataka to Andhra Pradesh mostly to Bengaluru at 54 services followed by Bellary at 12 bus services.
  • With 9 services, Guntakal is the most connected town, followed by Kadapa at 7, and Anantapur at 5 services.
  • Private bus operators have run a record 1,010 bus services between Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka
  • While there were 481 bus services in the routes of Andhra Pradesh to Karnataka, a total number of 529 bus services were available between Karnataka to Andhra Pradesh.
  • Tirupathi, the temple city, has seen the highest number of bus services to and fro Bengaluru and Karnataka. While Tirupathi received a total 77 private bus services from Karnataka, it had a total 57 bus services from Tirupathi to Bengaluru and Karnataka, respectively.
  • While, Talluru stands next to Tirupathi in bus services from Andhra Pradesh to Karnataka, followed by Nellore at 28 bus services; with 42 bus services, Kurnool has been the second preferred destination for Karnataka to Andhra Pradesh services followed by Anantapur at 23 bus services.

As a proof of identity, all the passengers traveling between the two states are advised to carry their own Aadhaar cards with them during the journey. All passengers going to Karnataka shall mandatorily register in the Seva Sindhu Portal of Karnataka Government and they need to show the proof of self- registration to RTC officials and Karnataka Police. Otherwise, boarding will be denied, as per the Karnataka state government orders.