Pushpak Airport Routes     

■ From Jubilee Bus Station: via Sangeet, Tarnaka, Uppal, LB Nagar, Balapur, Pahadi Shareef·       

■ From Secunderabad: via Paradise, Begumpet, Nampally, Aramghar, Shamsabad

■ From Miyapur: via Hyder Nagar, JNTU, Gachibowli, Hitec City, Mindspace

peddi vijayabhaskar I hyderabad

The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) has hiked the price for Pushpak air-conditioned airport buses. For a 10-kilometre ride from Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) to Balapur, passengers are now being charged a steep Rs 320, up from Rs 150.

The fare hike, reportedly implemented without any formal announcement or prior intimation, has triggered widespread criticism from passengers and public transport advocates alike. The RTC, however, maintains that the increase was necessary due to low occupancy rates and mounting operational costs—an aftershock, they suggest, of the recently launched Maha Lakshmi free bus scheme which has significantly cut into the corporation’s revenues.

Originally launched during the undivided Andhra Pradesh era, the Pushpak buses were introduced to offer 24/7 air-conditioned travel between Hyderabad city and the airport. They gained popularity for their affordability, punctuality, and comfort, especially among solo travelers and students. However, with the rise of app-based cab services like Ola, Uber, and Rapido, the demand for Pushpak buses began to decline. 

Now, in a surprising turn, the RTC has hiked the fare to Rs 320 for short distances such as Balapur, effectively charging over Rs 32 per kilometre—making it costlier than some private cab services. For instance, a cab from the airport to Balapur costs around Rs 600–Rs 700 for a family of four, averaging just Rs 150 per person, with the added convenience of doorstep drop-off.

Unannounced hike sparks backlash Passenger Kurni Srinivas, who regularly travels between RGIA and Malkajgiri, said he was shocked to see the fare more than double overnight. “There was no notification, no display, no announcement. I paid Rs 320 for a ride that used to cost Rs 150,” he said. To his surprise, the bus had fewer than 10 passengers on board.

Similar complaints were reported from other nearby airport routes such as Shamsabad, Aramghar, and Pahadi Shareef, where passengers are reeling under the new charges. Many accused the RTC of shifting the burden of free schemes like Maha Lakshmi onto paying commuters. Adding to the frustration, RTC officials admitted the fare hike was due to poor occupancy ratios, particularly on return routes from the airport.

“The cost of running near-empty buses was unsustainable,” said Greater Hyderabad Executive Director Rajasekhar. “We recently raised fares by Rs 50 on trips to the airport and by Rs 100 on the return. It was necessary.” Travelers argue that by pricing themselves out of competition, RTC is driving people away rather than recovering revenue. “This is flawed logic,” said Srinivas. “Middle-class families, students, and workers who rely on Pushpak are being forced to use cabs, which are now cheaper for groups. Wealthier flyers already use personal transport.”

Moreover, many feel that the RTC is ignoring basic commuter behavior. "Expecting people to pay premium rates for a ride that doesn’t even drop them home makes no sense," one passenger noted. Even more concerning is the opacity of the decision. Unlike other recent hikes citing toll revisions, there was no public notice issued before the Pushpak fare increase. Critics allege that RTC’s unilateral action reflects a “bull-headed” attitude that disregards public interest.

Discount plans underway

In response to backlash, RTC’s Rajasekhar said the corporation is considering a 10% group discount for three or more passengers traveling together. "We are observing the ridership closely and will explore incentives to draw passengers back," he added. However, commuters remain skeptical. “Discounts won’t help if base fares are unreasonable,” said a frequent flyer. “They need to rethink the entire pricing strategy.”