RTCs efforts to come out of red

HYDERABAD: The AP State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) has started concentrating on augmentation of its revenue to come out of the red. At present, the APSRTC is running in Rs 2,000 crore loss due to various reasons, including the recent Sakala Janula Samme of TJAC.The RTC earned Rs 78.94 crore commercial revenue last fiscal through leasing out stalls and vacant space in bus stations.The RTC management has now decided to focus on fully using its vacant space for different commercial activities, including leasing out space for setting up bank ATMs and for advertisements.RTC managing director B Prasada Rao has instructed the field managers to lay emphasis on earning commercial revenue.A Commercial Revenue Promotion Fortnight will be observed throughout the state by the RTC from November 16 to 30. During the fortnight, it will explore all the avenues to get commercial revenue.According to a study, 568 of the total 6,545 stalls in RTC bus stations in the state are vacant. A special drive will be launched to lease out the stalls. The RTC officials are also readying to recover Rs 421.91 lakh outstanding dues from lessees of canteens, stalls and office accommodation. It also has dues from police (Rs 741.57 lakh), excise (Rs 39.04 lakh) and postal department (Rs 56.93 lakh). The RTC has decided to ask all the government departments to clear the dues immediately.