APSRTC unions protest privatization of electric buses in Andhra Pradesh
Employee unions of Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) are opposing the state government’s decision to allow private operators to run electric buses, fearing gradual privatization. The Joint Action Committee (JAC) formed by unions demands APSRTC procure and operate the buses itself, fill 10,000 vacancies, add 4,000 buses, and resolve pending employee dues. After failed representations, unions have announced red-ribbon protests at depots on June 23-24, 2026, and warned of a statewide strike if demands are not met.
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APSRTC unions oppose private e-bus operations under GCC model, intensify stir
The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of APSRTC employees' unions in Andhra Pradesh has strongly opposed the operation of electric buses through private operators under the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model. At a regional executive meeting in Visakhapatnam, union leaders warned that this move would lead to the gradual privatisation of the state-run transport corporation by 2030. They demanded that procurement, operations, and maintenance of all e-buses remain under APSRTC control. The JAC also called for the reopening of four recently closed bus depots, purchase of 4,000 new buses to handle passenger surge under the 'Stree Shakti' free travel scheme, and recruitment to fill over 10,000 vacant posts. A phase-wise protest plan was announced, including meeting public representatives (July 14-19), a signature collection drive (July 20-26), submission of demands to the Chief Minister (July 27), and a review meeting on July 30.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.APSRTC Employees' JAC to Continue Agitation Over Electric Bus Issue
The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of APSRTC Employees' Unions has decided to continue its agitation after authorities failed to provide clear assurances on key demands, including the operation of electric buses and the reopening of four closed depots. In the second phase of the agitation, JAC leaders will meet public representatives and submit memoranda seeking support. They will also conduct a signature campaign from July 14 to 19, with signatures to be submitted to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu during the Grievance Day programme on July 27. The JAC will convene a meeting on July 30 to announce the third phase. The decisions were made during an emergency online meeting of the State Executive on Sunday. The JAC had submitted a 30-point memorandum to APSRTC management on June 11, raising concerns about the adverse impact of operating electric buses through private operators. Despite several rounds of discussions with senior officials, the draft minutes shared on Saturday did not provide concrete assurances, prompting the continuation of the agitation.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.APSRTC Protests to Proceed as Planned After Talks with Government Fail
The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) Joint Action Committee (JAC) has announced that the 'RTC Protection Day' protests scheduled for July 7-8 will proceed as planned after talks with the government failed to yield assurances. The JAC met with APSRTC management, including Vice-Chairman and Managing Director N. Balasubrahmanyam, to discuss key demands: withdrawal of a proposal to hand over electric bus operations to private entities, increasing the bus fleet, and immediate recruitment to fill vacancies. JAC leaders expressed disappointment that the state government did not assure that maintenance, purchase, and operations of electric buses would remain under APSRTC control. Employees will wear 'demand badges' while on duty. The JAC warned of intensified protests if demands are not addressed. Other issues raised include delayed salaries for outsourced staff, administrative problems at depots, workload due to staff shortages, and concerns under the 'Stree Shakti' scheme for women passengers.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.APSRTC Joint Action Committee Holds Key Meeting Ahead of Talks with Management
Leaders of the APSRTC Joint Action Committee (JAC) held a review meeting on July 5, 2026, to finalize the agenda for discussions with APSRTC management scheduled for July 6. The JAC is urging the government to strengthen APSRTC, withdraw a proposal to introduce privately operated electric buses, and instead operate all electric buses through the state-run corporation. Other demands include increasing bus numbers for welfare schemes like 'Stree Shakti', immediate recruitment to fill vacant posts, and addressing nearly 30 issues from a previously submitted memorandum. The meeting comes ahead of the second phase of the JAC's agitation programme, which includes 'RTC Protection Day' on July 7-8, where employees will wear demand badges and take their demands to the public. The talks will be attended by senior officials including Transport Special Chief Secretary M.T. Krishna Babu and APSRTC Vice-Chairman and Managing Director N. Balasubramanyam.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.APSRTC Employees' JAC Plans Second Phase of Agitation Against Privatization Move from July 7
The APSRTC Employees' Joint Action Committee (JAC) has announced a second phase of agitation starting July 7, 2026, opposing the Andhra Pradesh government's plan to hand over depot lands to private operators for electric bus operations. JAC leaders allege this is a systematic move towards privatizing the public transport service by 2029. They claim four depots have already been handed over for 1,050 electric buses, with eight more partially allocated and 29 additional depots targeted for 1,450 buses. The agitation plan includes observing July 7-8 as 'APSRTC Protection Day', a campaign from July 9-18 seeking public support, a statewide signature campaign from July 19-26, and submission of memoranda on July 27. A state-level JAC meeting on July 30 will announce the third phase. The JAC demands all electric buses be operated directly by the corporation.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.APSRTC Employees’ JAC to announce second phase agitation plans on June 28
The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) Employees’ Joint Action Committee (JAC) will announce the second phase of its agitation programme at a meeting in Vijayawada on June 28, 2026. The JAC opposes the state government's reported plans to gradually privatize APSRTC by introducing privately operated electric buses and handing over RTC depots and assets to private operators. The JAC conveners, Y. Srinivasa Rao and Palisetti Damodara Rao, urged the government to withdraw its privatization agenda and address long-pending employee grievances. They claimed an overwhelming response to the first phase of protests but said the government provided no concrete assurance, forcing them to discuss intensifying the movement. Leaders and representatives from all regions of the state are expected to participate in the meeting to review grievances, assess the corporation's future, and plan further actions. The JAC aims to unite all employee and labour unions willing to join the movement.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.APSRTC employees' JAC gears up for protests starting June 23
The Andhra Pradesh Public Transport Department (RTC) Employees' Joint Action Committee (JAC) announced a direct agitation starting June 23, 2026, to push for resolution of employee issues, protection of the public sector corporation, and securing employees' rights. According to JAC Conveners Y. Srinivasa Rao and Palisetti Damodara Rao, representations were submitted on June 11 to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and other senior officials. Preparatory conferences were held between June 16 and 20 across Vizianagaram, Vijayawada, Nellore, Tirupati, and Anantapur, covering all four zones, receiving overwhelming employee support. Employees will wear red badges and demonstrate on June 23 and 24. A State-level JAC meeting is scheduled for June 28 in Vijayawada to discuss the next phase of action. The JAC appealed to all RTC unions and associations to join the movement.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Andhra Pradesh RTC unions oppose private e-buses, announce protests on June 23-24
The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) employees' unions has opposed the state government's plan to operate electric buses through private operators and lease depot lands to private entities. In a meeting held in Vijayawada on June 17, 2026, union leaders demanded that APSRTC itself purchase and operate the electric buses, recruit 10,000 new employees, add 4,000 buses, clear pending dues, announce Interim Relief, and constitute the 12th Pay Revision Commission. They accused the government of ignoring employee views. The JAC announced red-ribbon protests on June 23 and 24, with a review meeting on June 28, and warned of statewide protests if demands are not met. The article details the specific demands and lists key union leaders present.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.APSRTC Employees Union Demands Cancellation of E-Bus Tenders Awarded to Private Firms
The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of APSRTC employees' unions in Andhra Pradesh has demanded the cancellation of tenders awarded to private operators for running electric buses, urging the government to procure and operate the buses through the state-owned corporation. In a representation submitted to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and other officials, the JAC also called for filling 10,000 vacant posts, purchasing 4,000 new buses, resolving issues from the Stree Shakti scheme, clearing pending PRC and DA arrears, and immediate constitution of the 12th Pay Revision Commission. The union leaders warned of phased agitation if the government does not withdraw the decision, including preparatory conferences across five cities from June 16-20, and protests at all depots on June 23-24. They expressed concern that handing over depot lands to private operators could lead to gradual privatisation of APSRTC.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.APSRTC employee unions threaten strike over electric bus privatization plans
The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) Employees' Unions' Joint Action Committee (JAC) has announced a state-wide strike if the government does not withdraw its decision to allow private operators to run electric buses. The JAC, formed during a meeting in Vijayawada on June 8, 2026, is led by Y. Srinivasa Rao and Palisetti Damodara Rao. Union leaders argue that APSRTC should purchase electric buses and employ its own drivers rather than leasing depots to private operators, warning that the policy threatens the future of the public sector unit. They also demand the procurement of 4,000 buses to ease workload from the Stree Shakti scheme and recruitment to fill 10,000 vacancies. A representation will be submitted to APSRTC management on June 11, followed by protests in select cities from June 16-20, and a full state-wide strike on June 23-24.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.APSRTC Unions to Meet on June 8 to Discuss Employee Welfare and Electric Bus Privatization
On June 7, 2026, the A.P. State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) Employees’ Union and the A.P. Public Transport Department (APPTD) National Mazdoor Unity Association (NMUA) announced a joint meeting of various RTC employee unions to be held on June 8 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. Union leaders expressed concerns that increasing private participation could reduce APSRTC's operational role, affect job security, weaken the corporation's financial position, and pave the way for further privatization. The meeting is expected to discuss the formation of a Joint Action Committee (JAC) to protect APSRTC and safeguard employees' rights. Decisions and proposed agitation programs will be announced at a press conference following the meeting.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.APSRTC Unions Oppose Handover of Electric Buses to Private Operators
Employee unions of the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) have strongly opposed the state government's decision to allow private operators to run electric buses, alleging it is a step toward privatization. The National Mazdoor Unity Association (NMUA) and APSRTC Employees' Union leaders Y. Srinivasa Rao and P. Damodara Rao stated that despite repeated requests to purchase electric buses using central subsidies and operate them through RTC staff, the government has ignored their demands. They also accused the government of leasing prime depot lands to private parties. The unions announced the formation of a Joint Action Committee (JAC) comprising all RTC unions to launch a united agitation. A meeting of all pre-merger employee unions is scheduled for June 8 in Vijayawada. The unions also highlighted unresolved issues, including staff difficulties caused by the 'Stree Shakti' free travel scheme for women, and expressed anxiety among employees over the perceived privatization drive.
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