APSRTC introduces doorstep pickup for travellers

Metro India News | VIJAYAWADA

Travellers in Vijayawada may soon be able to skip the hassle of reaching the bus station with heavy luggage and multiple transfers, as the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) has introduced a doorstep bus pickup service on a pilot basis. NTR District Public Transport Officer V. Neelima announced that the facility will initially be available to passengers in Vijayawada travelling on the Vijayawada–Hyderabad route. Under the initiative, buses will pick up eligible passenger groups directly from their homes before proceeding towards the designated boarding point.

The service is available to groups of six or more passengers who have booked, or intend to book, tickets through the internet or APSRTC reservation counters. Passengers opting for the facility will have to pay an additional charge based on the distance between their pickup location and the boarding point or bus station. Passengers must contact APSRTC at least four hours before the scheduled departure of their bus, between 9 am and 6 pm, to avail themselves of the service. The designated contact numbers are 73828 25450 and 99592 25450.

The initiative is aimed at making group travel more convenient, particularly for families and friends travelling together with substantial luggage. APSRTC is expected to assess the response to the pilot before considering wider implementation. Meanwhile, changes have also been announced to bus services connecting Vijayawada with the Andhra Pradesh High Court. The bus departing from PNBS at 9:10 am will now operate via the Seed Access Road and CRDA route. An additional service will depart from Undavalli Centre at 9:25 am, travelling through Penumaka and Mandadam to the High Court.