Now Reading: APSRTC staff seek cancellation of tenders for 1,450 e-buses
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APSRTC staff seek cancellation of tenders for 1,450 e-buses
The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) Employees’ Joint Action Committee (JAC) has demanded the immediate cancellation of tenders to operate 1,450 air-conditioned electric buses through private operators under the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model. The tender, issued on 13 October 2026 by APSRTC, invites e-tenders for nine-metre and 12-metre buses across 29 depots, with bids accepted from 10 am on 9 November to 5 pm on 24 November 2026.
JAC conveners Y. Srinivasa Rao and Palisetti Damodara Rao said they are not opposed to electric buses but insist APSRTC should buy them with government aid and use its own employees. They warned that private operation could hurt the corporation’s revenue, jobs, and job security. The JAC submitted a memorandum to APSRTC executive director K S Brahmananda Reddy. As a protest, employees will wear black badges on 22 to 23 October, and the JAC will meet in Vijayawada on 26 October to plan further action.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The Hans India and The Hindu both report the APSRTC employees’ JAC demanding cancellation of tenders for 1,450 electric buses, with identical facts, the tender date, bid window, and the JAC’s objections to private operation. The Hans India adds an on-the-ground detail: the JAC submitted a memorandum to executive director K S Brahmananda Reddy in Vijayawada, which The Hindu omits. Neither source adopts a pro-government or critical stance, both present the employee unions’ argument and note that the JAC is not opposed to electric buses, only to private operation. The uniform coverage leaves the key open question: whether the government and APSRTC management will heed the JAC’s demand before the bid submission closes on 24 November.
Coverage: 2 sources, 2 neutral
Sources (2): thehindu.com (neutral report), thehansindia.com (neutral report)
This brief was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above, so one read covers every framing they carry. Methodology and corrections.
