The state owned APSRTC plans to venture into the cargo business. It wants to do this by procuring 1,000 new vehicles. RTC officials are discussing tie-ups with Singareni Collieries, Krishnapatnam port and other government departments like civil supplies to shift cargo like coal and other goods. The coal will be transported through special trucks and the other goods through the new buses.

The corporation had earlier planned to modify its 6,000 old buses and use them for cargo. Now it appears that the buses no longer have the capacity to pull the weight of the cargo. Therefore, the corporation has decided to procure new ones in phases and replace the old buses. About 1,000 vehicles were proposed to be procured for the cargo venture. A consultant who studied the pros and cons submitted a proposal which was presented to the state transport minister, Mr Botsa Satyanarayana, recently.

Also, the corporation is planning to hold discussions with the various port trusts and government departments, like Civil Supplies, to rope them in for transporting goods under the public distribution system or to transfer goods from Krishnapatnam port. This would give the corporation steady revenue throughout the year. Companies like Ashok Leyland would be supplying the cargo vehicles needed for heavy goods transport, while special buses will be bought for the transport of light goods like vegetables, rice etc.

RTC officials state that the work on the cargo business venture is going full steam ahead as it would provide a stable income to the corporation. An autonomous body would administer the freight activities. "The project is in a formative stage but it is being worked on seriously," said an RTA official.