Hyderabad, July 23: Till five years ago, AP State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) buses had speed governors. They, however, had to detach the instrument following complaints that the movement of the bus was affected by them. Now, with the Transport Department insisting on speed governors, the APSRTC officials find themselves in a fix. “We are examining the economic feasibility. If it is counter-productive, then the corporation will have no choice but to approach the Government seeking exemption,’’ an APSRTC official told Express on condition of anonymity.
With the Transport Department making it mandatory for all vehicles to have speed governors, the APSRTC will have to get their 17,313 buses fixed with the instrument, each costing not less than Rs 10,000 which means that the corporation will have to cough up a minimum of Rs 17.3 crore.
Officials argue that most of their buses travel in places where they cannot cross 50 kilometers per hour (kmph). With the high traffic density in twin cities, crossing the prescribed 65 kmph is difficult.
“Out of the total buses owned by APSRTC, 12,000 buses are meant for Pallevelugu.
There is no question of buses going beyond 50 kmph. Besides, the drivers are regularly briefed not go beyond 40 kmph in these areas. But, discussions are under way to take a final call,’’ officials said. Besides, the onus of getting the 3,980 rented buses lies on the APSRTC, which means that the owner of these many buses would have to bear the cost of the speed governors.
Interestingly Volvo buses come with speed governors attached to them but the speed limit is more than the prescribed 65 kmph. “Any alteration to these buses can be made only from Sweden as it was manufactured there,’’ they said.
Interestingly, APSRTC buses had speed governors till recently but had to be removed subsequently due to the slow movement of buses.
“This decision was taken based on a report given by a consultant who said that the mileage efficiency of the bus will not be affected because of high speed and as a result speed governors can be detached,’’ officials said.
Transport Commissioner J Raymond Peter had said that both APSRTC and APTDC have to compulsorily write to Volvo company and alter the speed limit.
APSRTC has a fleet of 105 Volvo buses throughout the State. On the highways though the suggested norm for RTC buses is 70 kmph, it is frequently breached to meet the time schedule.
–Agencies–