The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) operated 1,417 special buses from Hyderabad between October 9 and 11 as families travelled to their native places for Dasara, with further additional services planned on October 15, 16 and 17.
The corporation said the special services were introduced to manage the seasonal increase in passenger demand and reduce overcrowding at bus depots. The number of additional buses operated during the three-day period was 495 higher than the 922 services run during the corresponding period last year.
According to officials, TGSRTC carried 1.4 crore passengers during the first three days of the festive rush. The demand was reported across routes connecting Hyderabad with districts within Telangana and neighbouring states, as residents left the city for the extended holiday period.
The festive movement has also increased pressure on other transport systems. Railway stations in Hyderabad have been witnessing heavy passenger volumes on long-distance trains, while highways are expected to experience increased traffic as families travel by private vehicles towards the weekend.
Women travelling under the state government’s Mahalakshmi free bus travel scheme saved an average of Rs 13.73 crore per day during the festive period, compared with Rs 13.02 crore a day during the same period last year. The scheme covers eligible women using Palle Velugu, Express, City Ordinary and Metro Express services.
TGSRTC officials said the corporation expects another rise in passenger traffic as people return to their hometowns and later resume their journeys. Additional buses will therefore be operated on October 15, 16 and 17, with the stated objective of meeting demand and reducing inconvenience caused by overcrowding.
The expanded service reflects the recurring transport pressure created when a large number of Hyderabad residents travel out of the city within a short festive window. For passengers, the availability of additional buses during the return period will be particularly important as demand shifts from outbound services to routes bringing travellers back to Hyderabad. Free travel for eligible women will continue on the specified services during this period.
