The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) Employees’ Joint Action Committee (JAC) has demanded the immediate cancellation of tenders inviting private operators to run 1,450 air-conditioned electric buses across the state, warning that the move would deepen privatisation of the state-run transporter.
According to tender notice APSRTC/C&B-03/2026-27-MED issued on 13 October 2026, the corporation invited e-tenders from private operators to supply and operate 9-metre and 12-metre AC electric buses on a rental basis across 29 depots under the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model.
JAC leaders submitted a representation to K.S. Brahmananda Reddy, Executive Director (Administration), APSRTC, at RTC House in Vijayawada, insisting that the corporation should purchase the electric buses with government financial assistance and operate them using its own drivers, mechanics and administrative network.
“We are not opposed to introducing electric buses. APSRTC must purchase the vehicles with financial assistance from the government and operate them using its own employees,” JAC conveners Y. Srinivasa Rao and Palisetti Damodara Rao told reporters, adding that the corporation already has 29 depots, experienced drivers and mechanical staff that can run the new fleet.
The JAC has also demanded procurement of 4,000 new buses to meet rising passenger demand after the implementation of the Stree Shakti free travel scheme, along with reopening of the closed Vidyadharapuram, Guntur-2, Nellore-2 and Mangalam depots. As part of the agitation, employees will wear black badges while on duty across APSRTC depots on 22 and 23 October 2026.
The state government has countered the privatisation charge. P. Krishna Babu, Special Chief Secretary, Transport, said at a media briefing that APSRTC will retain ownership of all assets under the GCC model, and operators will use designated premises only for charging and maintenance during the contract period.
“The government has no proposal to retrench employees,” Krishna Babu said, adding that a Dry Lease Model is also under examination, where APSRTC staff would operate buses while specialised maintenance remains with manufacturers.
Andhra Pradesh aims to replace diesel buses with air-conditioned electric buses by 2029 under the AP SEMP 4.0 programme, placing APSRTC’s workforce planning squarely at the centre of its public-transport transition.
