The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) has decided to appoint bus officers in TS villages to explain to the public its services. They will meet villagers every 15 days to inform them about bus timings and to find out about transportation problems in villages.
The TSRTC has designed the posts of village bus officers in such a way so as to make them more accessible to the people, says the guidelines regarding the appointment of village bus officers. The guidelines say that the system of bus officers will come into force across the state from May 1.
Conductors, drivers and other TSRTC employees staying in villages are appointed as Village Bus Officers by Depot Managers.
Preference will be given to those who come forward to work voluntarily. A big village will have one bus officer. If it is small, a person is appointed for two or three villages. According to these guidelines, a Bus officer cannot be allotted to more than five villages.
Depot Managers are village officers in other municipalities including Hyderabad. They work like Village Bus Officers in their respective wards.
The village bus officers will be in constant touch with villagers. The officials meet villagers once in 15 days and collect information about bus arrivals, timings, new routes, new services, problems, etc. The information will be sent to higher authorities.
They also collect details of marriages, auspicious events and fairs in villages. If demand is high, bus trips will be increased accordingly. They will also inform the public that they can rent buses for weddings and other functions. People will also be told about the dangers that can happen if they opt for private vehicles.
The Local Depot Manager will insert details of the concerned Village Bus Officer on the notice board of each Gram Panchayat office. It will have the bus officer’s name and phone number.
Moreover, each village sarpanch will be informed about the details of their village bus officer through a letter.
The TSRTC has decided to encourage good performing village bus officers. A Best Village Bus Officer Award will be given to those who do well every three months.
