Andhra Pradesh Transport Unions Oppose Private E-Bus Model, Plan Statewide Stir

The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Andhra Pradesh Public Transport Department (APPTD-APSRTC) Employees’ Unions has opposed the operation of electric buses through private operators under the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model. At a regional executive meeting held on Tuesday at the National Mazdoor Union (NMU) office in Rammohan Bhavan, near Maddilapalem bus depot, the JAC warned that such a move could lead to the phased privatisation of the state-owned transport corporation.

JAC state conveners Y. Srinivasa Rao and Palisetti Damodara Rao expressed concern that operating electric buses via private agencies under the GCC system would transfer the State’s emerging electric public transport network into private hands by 2029. “This would lead to the gradual privatisation of the APSRTC by 2030,” they said. They noted that while the government claims it has no intention of privatising the corporation, its actions suggest otherwise.

The unions demanded a clear assurance from the government that the procurement, operations, and maintenance of all electric buses will be handled directly by APSRTC using its own staff, rather than being leased to private agencies.

To protect the public transit system and address worker grievances, the JAC presented several key demands. These include the immediate restoration of four bus depots recently closed to accommodate private electric bus operations, the purchase of 4,000 new buses to handle increased passenger traffic from the ‘Stree Shakti’ free travel scheme for women, and recruitment to fill over 10,000 vacant posts across departments to reduce the workload on existing staff.

Frustrated by the lack of progress in talks with the administration, the JAC announced the second and third phases of their statewide agitation. From July 14 to 19, 2026, members will meet public representatives, including MLAs and ministers, to submit memoranda. A signature collection drive among APSRTC employees will be held from July 20 to 26, 2026. The signatures and representations will be submitted to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu during the weekly Grievance Day programme on July 27, 2026. The JAC will convene a meeting in Vijayawada on July 30 to review the response and outline the third phase of their protest.

The meeting saw participation from leaders of major unions including the NMUA, Employees’ Union, Staff and Workers Federation, and Karmika Parishad, along with a large number of active members.