Hyderabad: Long waiting times, overcrowded buses and complaints about buses not stopping at designated points have emerged as concerns among several TGSRTC passengers in Hyderabad, particularly students and daily commuters.
A group of college students at the Nampally bus stop said they had waited for around 90 minutes for bus route 49. They also alleged that some buses stop a few metres away from the designated stop, forcing passengers to move quickly to board.
Students Nishta and Ria said such situations can sometimes lead to passengers bumping into one another while trying to board crowded buses, occasionally resulting in arguments.
Passengers at other locations have also reported waiting between 30 minutes and 90 minutes for buses. Some commuters said private travel buses occupying space near stops at night can make it harder for RTC buses to pull over and for passengers to board safely.
Crowding Adds to Passenger Concerns
The complaints come as TGSRTC continues to carry a large number of passengers across Telangana. According to the corporation's July 2026 figures, it operated 10,284 buses and carried an average of 60.48 lakh passengers a day, with an occupancy ratio of 87.68%.
The Mahalakshmi scheme, which provides free travel for eligible women on specified city and ordinary bus services, has further changed passenger patterns. TGSRTC's official information confirms that free city-bus travel is available under certain categories, while student and general commuter passes continue to operate separately.
Some women passengers interviewed for the report said they felt that crowded conditions had affected the quality of their daily commute. Shivani, a college teacher, alleged that buses sometimes stop for only a few seconds, making it difficult for passengers to board.
Other passengers also reported concerns about harassment and uncomfortable behaviour while waiting for or travelling on crowded buses.
Drivers and Passengers Blame Each Other
Some RTC staff members offered a different perspective, saying overcrowding and passenger behaviour have also made their work more difficult.
Krishna, a driver attached to the Musheerabad depot, said buses can become heavily crowded and that drivers and conductors face arguments with passengers over boarding points and stops.
He also cited long working hours, traffic congestion and physical strain as factors affecting drivers. He acknowledged that some drivers may pass stops without picking up passengers but said employees can face disciplinary action if they are found violating procedures.
TGSRTC's current operational data shows that the corporation has 2,889 routes and records a reported punctuality rate of 94.59%.
Fare Concerns Among Paying Passengers
Some male passengers interviewed for the report also expressed dissatisfaction with the impact of free travel for women, particularly in relation to crowding and fares.
However, TGSRTC's fare structure includes multiple categories of tickets and passes, including general commuter tickets, student passes and monthly season tickets.
The corporation has also revised fares for special festival services. A September 2026 report said special services can carry an additional charge of up to 50% over standard fares under the applicable government order.
Passengers Continue to Depend on RTC Buses
Despite the complaints, several commuters said TGSRTC buses remain an important and affordable mode of transport in Hyderabad.
Students Nishta and Ria said they continued to prefer buses over more expensive alternatives because of the savings involved. Other passengers said better frequency, clearer boarding points and improved crowd management could make the service more convenient.
TGSRTC currently operates dedicated customer-support channels for passenger grievances and enquiries, while its official systems also provide information on boarding points and bus services.
The concerns raised by passengers highlight the challenges of managing high ridership while maintaining reliable service, safe boarding and professional interactions between commuters and staff.
