Private travels shift registration back to AP

Vijayawada: New transport regulations and proactive measures by the AP transport department are prompting private travel bus operators to shift their registrations back to the state. According to data obtained from the transport department, a total of 141 buses registered in other states have shifted back and completed re-registration in Andhra Pradesh since April 1. Of these, 78 buses were previously registered in Nagaland, 26 in Telangana, 12 in Tamil Nadu and 8 in Karnataka.Bus operators that had earlier registered vehicles in northeastern and other states to benefit from lower permit charges are now opting for re-registration in Andhra Pradesh, following the amendments made to AITP rules, which mandate buses availing AITP permits after April 1 to mandatorily have either origin or destination point in the home-registered state.According to officials, nearly 500 buses belonging to AP operators had been registered outside the state, primarily due to lower All India Tourist Permit (AITP) charges available elsewhere. However, a new transport policy implemented by the Centre from April 1 mandates that buses must visit their registered state at least once every 60 days.Industry sources indicate that the requirement has increased operational costs for private bus owners, making out-of-state registrations less viable. Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh government has reportedly initiated steps to reduce the state’s AITP fee from Rs 4,000 to Rs 2,500, with financial approval said to be in the final stages.“A government order reducing the AITP fee from Rs 4,000 per seat to Rs 2,500 is expected to be released soon. Following this, more and more operators will return to AP and get their buses registered here, giving better scope for the transport authorities to monitor the private buses that ply and crisscross through AP,” Joint Transport Commissioner (JTC) Siva Ram Prasad said.Officials believe the policy changes and reduced permit costs could encourage more operators to return their registrations to Andhra Pradesh in the coming months.