The A.P. State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) Employees’ Union and the A.P. Public Transport Department (APPTD) National Mazdoor Unity Association (NMUA) on Sunday (June 7, 2026) announced that a joint meeting of various RTC employee unions would be held on Monday (June 8) at the RTC Employees’ Union State office in Vijayawada.
The meeting will focus on employee welfare issues, government policies, and the impact of the proposed introduction of electric buses through private operators on the future of APSRTC, said a joint statement issued by NMUA State president Y. Srinivasa Rao, RTC Employees’ Union State president Palisetti Damodara Rao and State general secretaries P.V. Ramana Reddy and G.V. Narasayya.
The meeting would hold detailed discussions on the challenges posed by the private electric bus policy to public transport services, the survival of APSRTC, and the future of its employees. The participants will also deliberate on major issues faced by PTD employees, possible solutions, and a future course of joint action.
The leaders said the meeting is expected to discuss the formation of a Joint Action Committee (JAC) comprising all employee unions in APSRTC with the primary objective of protecting APSRTC, safeguarding employees’ rights, strengthening public transport services and ensuring the organisation’s development.
The fact that the State government is moving ahead with the induction of electric buses under arrangements involving private operators has not gone down well with the employee unions, which fear that increasing private participation in public transport could gradually reduce APSRTC’s operational role, affect job security, weaken the corporation’s financial position and pave the way for further privatisation.
Unions argued that outsourcing bus operations may adversely impact existing employees, future recruitment, promotions, and working conditions. They are seeking assurances that public transport services will remain under APSRTC’s control.
The decisions taken at the meeting and the proposed agitation programme for resolving employee issues and protecting APSRTC would be announced at a press conference, the leaders said.
Published – June 07, 2026 07:43 pm IST
