SETC commuters rue lack of facilities at incomplete halts

“This season, the Corporation registered a whopping number of nearly seven lakh travelers from the city who opted to travel in the SETC buses to various parts of the State. However, the commuters are unsatisfied with the roadside kiosks and eateries located on the highways which are chosen for brief halting during the long-distance journeys.

A regular commuter said, “A few years ago, the buses usually halt for more than two times at these kiosks during the journey. However, it lacks basic sanitation. All the passengers including women and children are forced to use the open space as washrooms. The Corporation can take measures to improve the situation.”

The project director of Traffic and Transportation Forum, Rama Rao, said, “The commuters are completely satisfied with the experience gained in the new SETC buses. The forum has not received any public complaints related with its maintenance. The Omni buses halt at kiosks and eateries where the standards are comparatively better. This has the potential to tilt a handful of passengers to the private transportation.”

The Corporation has awarded the contract of operating restaurant cum kiosks to the private parties across the State. “A tender will be floated to award the contract to private persons who are supposed to manage the facilities with basic minimum requirements. We are accepting the feedback from the commuters. We will take it to the notice of the respective district collectors, who will ensure the upkeep of such facilities in the future,“ said the General

It is noted that this development emerges when the Corporation received a total of 78 new buses in the last year. While 515 new buses will be allocated to the transport-utility in near future. The SETC operates 1,157 buses from 22 depots under the category of ultra-deluxe, air-conditioned and classic buses.