Telangana’s Transport Shake‑Up: Electric Buses, Digital Fare & AI Tracking

Minister Ponnam Prabhakar announced a sweeping digitisation drive aimed at modernising the state’s road transport network. The city’s Automatic Fare Collection System (AFCS), operational for three months, now handles ticketing for about 20% of passengers in Hyderabad. Plans are underway to roll it out across the entire bus fleet.

The government is also rolling out all electric buses on routes within the Outer Ring Road and expanding services to new residential colonies, aiming to integrate green transport solutions seamlessly into commuters’ daily lives. Digital ticketing innovations include QR‑code fares, WhatsApp‑based booking, and digital bus passes via the RTC app, all scannable with existing onboard equipment.

Since its launch, the “Mahalakshmi Free Travel Scheme” for women has issued 191 crore zero‑fare tickets, saving approximately ₹6,300 crore and bolstering financial stability for the RTC. Minister Prabhakar has requested ₹55 crore to further develop an AI‑driven Intelligent Transport Management System, part of efforts to make Telangana a leader in public transport innovation.