Hyderabad: Telangana women set a new public transport record during the Rakhi festival, with more than 45 lakh travelling in a single day under the state’s Mahalakshmi free bus travel scheme.
TSRTC Managing Director V.C. Sajjanar said that in the six days around Rakhi, a total of 3.68 crore passengers used RTC services, including 2.51 crore women availing free rides. On August 9, Rakhi day, 45.62 lakh women travelled by RTC buses, while on August 11, the number rose to 45.94 lakh — the highest ever single-day count for women passengers.
Telangana women set new travel record on Rakhi under Mahalakshmi scheme
Sajjanar noted that last year’s Rakhi saw 2.75 crore passengers. This year, the figure rose by 92.95 lakh to reach 3.68 crore. RTC buses covered 2.28 crore kilometres during the period 53 lakh km more than last year.
Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar welcomed the figures, saying they reflected the emotional significance of Rakhi and the bond between siblings. He thanked RTC officials and staff who worked through heavy rains, sacrificing their own celebrations to ensure passengers reached their destinations safely.
On August 11 alone, RTC recorded its highest-ever daily ridership of 68.45 lakh passengers. Sajjanar said the milestone demonstrated the public’s trust in state-run transport. He thanked all commuters for supporting RTC and promoting public transport in Telangana.
