Diwali Gift for Hyderabad: Metro-RTC Combined Pass Prices Slashed
Telangana Minister Ponnam Prabhakar announces major price cuts for Metro-RTC combined travel passes as a Diwali gift for Hyderabad commuters.
Commuters in Hyderabad have a reason to celebrate this festive season as the Telangana government has announced a significant reduction in the prices of Metro-RTC combined pass prices. Telangana Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar unveiled the decision on Friday, framing the price cut as a "Diwali gift" intended to make public transport more accessible and reduce the daily financial strain on the city's workforce and students.
Massive Savings for Daily and Monthly Commuters
The government has introduced a revised tariff structure that offers substantial savings for those who rely on both the Metro and RTC bus services for their daily transit. The price drops are particularly steep for long-term pass holders.
Daily Pass Revisions
The cost of the daily combined travel pass has been brought down from Rs 400 to Rs 275. This represents a direct saving of Rs 125 per day. Under this new structure:
- Metro Travel Allocation: Rs 200
- RTC Services Allocation: Rs 75
- Usage: Pass holders are permitted to make four single journeys per day.
Monthly Pass Revisions
The most dramatic reduction is seen in the monthly pass, which has been slashed from Rs 8,500 to Rs 4,000, offering a massive saving of Rs 4,500 per month. The monthly breakdown is as follows:
- Metro Travel Allocation: Rs 3,000 (allowing a maximum of 50 single trips).
- RTC Services Allocation: Rs 1,000 (with no restriction on the number of journeys).
Implementation and Government Vision
Minister Ponnam Prabhakar emphasized that the government is prioritizing the financial well-being of the common passenger. He expressed confidence that these revised fares would provide considerable relief to the public. The new pricing structure is set to come into effect starting November 8.
Political Friction: Prabhakar Challenges Central Leadership
Beyond the transport updates, Minister Ponnam Prabhakar has also taken a strong political stance ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to the city for the BJP's 'Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao' march. The Minister raised several pressing socio-political concerns, demanding accountability from the central government.
Demands for Backward Classes (BC)
Prabhakar called upon BJP MPs and representatives from the Backward Classes to seek a meeting with Amit Shah. He specifically demanded that a dedicated option for the Backward Classes be included in the ongoing national census.
Allegations of 'Vote Theft'
The Minister also raised serious allegations regarding the electoral rolls. He urged the Home Minister to address what he termed as "vote theft," citing complaints about the distribution of Form 6 and Form 7 documents. Prabhakar alleged that these documents were being used to remove voters from electoral rolls, claiming the process was being facilitated by BJP leaders and the RSS office.