Hyderabad commuters can now use a common MeeTicket pass for TGSRTC buses and Hyderabad Metro services, but the launch has immediately triggered concerns over whether the monthly price is affordable for regular public transport users. The integrated ticketing facility became available from October 3, with a one-day pass priced at Rs 400 and a 30-day pass at Rs 8,500.
The Telangana government launched the pass to connect the city’s two major public transport systems through a single ticket. Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka said the initiative would make travel more seamless for the lakhs of passengers who use TGSRTC and Hyderabad Metro every day.
TGSRTC carries around 30 lakh passengers daily within Greater Hyderabad limits, while Hyderabad Metro’s three corridors record daily footfall of around 5 lakh, according to the report. The common pass is available at all Metro stations and allows unlimited travel during its validity period on city buses, excluding Pushpak services, and on Metro trains.
Passengers must pay a one-time refundable charge of Rs 100 for the card. The Telangana government said the initiative was part of its effort to integrate different public transport modes through technology and improve first- and last-mile connectivity.
However, the monthly pass price has prompted questions from commuters who say it may exceed their actual monthly travel costs. One commuter calculated that daily Metro travel between Miyapur and LB Nagar for 30 days would cost about Rs 4,140, while adding an RTC monthly pass of around Rs 1,400 would bring the total to approximately Rs 5,540. The commuter said the Rs 8,500 integrated pass was significantly more expensive.
Another commuter, travelling between Parade Ground and Raidurg, estimated that a daily round trip cost Rs 104. For 22 working days, the Metro expense would be about Rs 2,200, leading to questions about the value of the monthly common pass for office commuters who do not travel every day or across both systems.
TGSRTC managing director Y Nagireddy said the corporation’s share of the common ticket was limited to Rs 100 from the daily pass and Rs 1,500 from the monthly pass. The remaining amount was earmarked for Hyderabad Metro Rail. Hyderabad Metro Rail managing director Sarfaraz Ahmad could not be reached despite repeated attempts, according to the report.
The government has also launched a TGSRTC mobile ticketing platform. Through the app, passengers can select their boarding point, destination and ticket type, pay digitally and receive a dynamic QR-coded ticket for verification during the journey.
The app will also offer a Rs 600 weekly bus pass with unlimited travel on TGSRTC services. Daily and monthly RTC bus passes will be available through the platform, allowing passengers to purchase or renew them without visiting a ticket centre.
Transport minister Ponnam Prabhakar said the government plans to bring more transport services onto a common digital platform. He also said the long-term plan under Vision 2047 includes integrating RTC, Metro and auto services through technology, with a focus on easier public transport and the welfare of transport workers. Ministers are scheduled to demonstrate the pass by travelling from Begumpet Metro station and subsequently taking an RTC bus.