Aero Express e-buses link city to Bhogapuram airport at lower fares than cabs - The HinduPublished - August 19, 2026 11:30 pm IST - VISAKHAPATNAMAn electric bus spotted near the Dwaraka bus station in Visakhapatnam enroute to the ASR airport. | Photo Credit: V RAJUWith the Alluri Sitharama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram commencing full commercial operations on August 17, replacing the civil enclave at INS Dega, the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) has rolled out a dedicated 'Aero Express' electric bus service for air travellers, at fares lower than those charged by private cabs for the roughly 50-km journey from Visakhapatnam city.App-based cabs are currently quoting between ₹1,000 and ₹2,000 for the trip. The one-way Aero Express fare from Old Gajuwaka to the airport is ₹400, with intermediate stages priced lower on a descending scale, down to ₹50 from the Airport Junction stop.B.A. Naidu, Regional Manager, APSRTC, Visakhapatnam, said the corporation began operations on August 16, a day before the airport’s first commercial flights, so that passengers would not be left without transport on opening day. The service was formally inaugurated on August 15.A fleet of 20 buses, comprising 16 electric and four regular air-conditioned vehicles, making a total of 40 departures a day have been deployed. Both routes originate at Old Gajuwaka. ASR-1 runs via NAD, Gurdwara, Zoo Park, Marikavalasa, Anandapuram, Tagarapuvalasa, and Airport Junction. ASR-2 travels via Scindia, Kancharapalem, the Railway Station, the Bus Station, VUDA Park, Siripuram, the ISKCON Temple, IT Hills, Marikavalasa, Anandapuram, Tagarapuvalasa, and Airport Junction. Services operate from 4.30 a.m. to 10.30 p.m. at half-hour intervals.Passengers unsure of where to wait need not look for separate stops, Mr. Naidu said. The buses halt alongside existing APSRTC stops at each named point. “NAD means the NAD RTC bus stop. Old Gajuwaka means the present Old Gajuwaka bus stop,” he said, adding that timing boards had been installed at each stage.On the question passengers ask first, he was direct. The journey normally takes close to two hours and about two hours and 15 minutes at peak times, largely because of traffic near the Anandapuram bridge. “You have to leave an hour early: as we have traffic jams in the area,” he said, while cautioning against an excessive buffer. “Two hours is the running time, don’t keep three hours and get anxious for no reason.” Delays of 15 to 20 minutes are common, he said, but another bus is usually available within an hour.APSRTC staff in white uniforms are stationed at the terminal to guide arriving passengers. Tickets are issued on board, with cash and UPI accepted. The APSRTC mobile application allows live tracking of individual buses.Occupancy touched 50% in the first few days, Mr. Naidu said, and is expected to rise as commuters grow familiar with the routes.Published - August 19, 2026 11:30 pm ISTSign in to unlock member-only benefits!Access 10 free stories every monthSave stories to read laterAccess to comment on every storySign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single clickGet notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products${ ind + 1 } ${ device }Last active - ${ la }