TSRTC launches 9 high-tech AC sleeper buses; pilot project for dynamic ticket pricing

The TSRTC has also decided to have dynamic pricing for tickets in a pilot project on 46 bus routes to Bengaluru, Warangal, Karimnagar, and Khammam.

The prices are expected to be lower on non-peak or lean days, similar to flight bookings and Tatkal services for train tickets.

Facilities in TSRTC AC sleeper

Each bus will have a capacity of 30 berths — 15 lower and 15 upper — according to the TSRTC. Each berth will have a water bottle and a mobile charging facility.

“Reading lamps have been installed for each berth. Free Wi-Fi facility is also available on these buses,” the corporation said.

The buses also have a public address system to convey information to the passengers.

Meanwhile, on 7 February, three double-decker electric buses were launched in Hyderabad on 7 February when the city hosted India’s first-ever Formula E-Prix.

ప్రయాణికులకు శుభవార్త! 16 కొత్త ఏసీ స్లీపర్ బస్సులు రేపటి నుండి అందుబాటులోకి వస్తున్నాయి. రాష్ట్రంలో తొలిసారిగా వీటిని #TSRTC వాడకంలోకి తెస్తోంది. LB Nagar లో సోమవారం ఉదయం 9.30 గంటలకు ఈ
బస్సులను రవాణా శాఖ మంత్రి పువ్వాడ అజయ్ కుమార్ గారు ప్రారంభిస్తారు. #NewACSleeperBuses pic.twitter.com/WBrFy37xmt

— VC Sajjanar – MD TSRTC (@tsrtcmdoffice) March 26, 2023

Routes of AC sleeper buses

Like the non-AC sleeper buses, the AC sleeper buses have been named “Lahari-Ammaodi Anubhuthi”.

Telangana Transport Minister Ajay Kumar Puvvada launching TSRTC AC sleeper bus. (Supplied)

The TSRTC plans to run these 16 new buses from Hyderabad on the Bengaluru and Hubbali routes in Karnataka, Visakhapatnam and Tirupati routes in Andhra Pradesh, and Chennai in Tamil Nadu.

The corporation on 4 January this year launched 10 non-AC buses on the Hyderabad to Vijayawada and Kakinada routes. While four of these buses were completely sleeper, the rest were sleeper-cum-seater buses with high-tech facilities.

The TSRTC noted that the buses were getting a good response from the people,

“It is in this context that the TSRTC management decided to make new AC sleeper buses available with state-of-the-art facilities to reach more people going to distant places,” it added.

Read more: Return of double-deckers: E-buses launched, more arriving soon

‘Security-equipped bus’

The buses have been equipped with a tracking system and panic-button facility keeping in mind the safety of passengers.

TSRTC AC sleeper bus. (Twitter/TSRTC)

They are expected to be directly connected to the TSRTC control room.

“Control room will be informed by pressing the panic button if the passengers face any problems. Officials will respond and take action quickly through this information,” the TSRTC said.

The buses are also said to be equipped with security cameras and reverse parking assistance cameras.

A Fire Detection and Alarm System (FDAS) has been installed, which will immediately respond when a fire breaks out in the bus.

Dynamic ticketing system

Under this system, if there is less traffic, the ticket price will be lower than the normal fare. In case of high demand, there will be changes in the charges accordingly.

The dynamic ticketing system uses advanced data analytics and machine learning algorithms to determine the charges based on market demand.

“Private operators are charging exorbitant fares even on normal days. But on peak days, ticket prices are usually increased. We have decided to introduce the dynamic pricing system in online ticket booking in order to provide affordable and budget-friendly travel when compared to the private operators and also reach more people,” TSRTC Chairman Bajireddy Govardhan and MD VC Sajjanar had earlier said.

“Due to this system, the unseasonal ticket price would be 20-30 percent less than the original fare. Peak seasons would have the inverse effect,” he added.

The corporation also has plans to add 100 more AC sleeper buses to its fleet.