80 additional free trips to ease travel, curb cab overcharging, and reduce pollution on Tirumala hills
June 21, 2025 |In a major initiative aimed at boosting pilgrim convenience, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has expanded its free transportation services in Tirumala by inducting Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) buses into its existing fleet. The move is expected to increase the total number of daily free trips for devotees and provide a cleaner, more accessible alternative to private transportation.
The new buses were officially flagged off on Thursday, June 19, by TTD Additional Executive Officer C.H. Venkayya Chowdary at the Aswini Hospital Circle in Tirumala.
🚌 More Free Trips, Less Exploitation
Currently, TTD operates approximately 300 daily free trips using its ‘Sri Vari Dharma Rathams’ to ferry devotees around the temple town. The addition of the APSRTC buses will bring an additional 80 trips daily, offering pilgrims more convenience and frequency.
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“This initiative will help save pilgrims from being overcharged by local cab drivers and will also contribute to reducing vehicular pollution in Tirumala,” said AEO Venkayya Chowdary. He urged devotees to make full use of the expanded free service.
📍 Key Features of the New Free Bus Service
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- Operated by APSRTC in collaboration with TTD
- Devotees can travel within Tirumala and from Tirumala to Tirupati
- No charges applicable to any passenger
- Buses will run along the existing Dharma Ratham routes
- Launch aimed at curbing exorbitant private cab fares and controlling pollution
🛐 Enhanced Pilgrim Experience
This latest development comes as part of TTD’s broader efforts to make the pilgrimage experience more seamless and affordable. Pilgrims can now board the free APSRTC buses at various designated points in Tirumala and travel to Tirupati without any additional cost.
The initiative has been welcomed by both devotees and TTD officials, who believe it will significantly ease crowd movement and reduce dependence on private vehicles.
👥 Officials Present at the Launch
- Paidi Chandrasekhar, Executive Director, APSRTC
- Seshareddy, General Manager, TTD Transport
- Other senior officials from TTD and RTC were also in attendance
📌 Tags:
TTD Free Buses, APSRTC Tirumala Service, Tirupati Devotee Transport, Sri Vari Dharma Rathams, Tirumala Pilgrimage, TTD Public Transport