Vizag to have HOHO Buses Soon, RFQ Issued Under Smart City Project

Visakhapatnam: Double decker hop-on hop-off (HOHO) buses will hit the streets of Visakhapatnam to provide a better wallet-friendly opportunity to the tourists flocking the city throughout the year.

Though it was pending for a long time, the Greater Visakhapatnam Smart City Corporation Limited (GVSCCL) has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) from interested parties for "design, manufacture, supply and commissioning of electricity-propelled fully built AC and non-AC double deck type-IV urban HOHO buses for operation in the city limits.

An official of Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) told Bizz Buzz that initially they will launch the service with one AC and one non-AC bus. "Depending on the response, we will decide on increasing the number of buses," he stated.

Now several tourists, who come in large numbers from West Bengal, Odisha and Telangana are left no choice but to engage private vehicles to visit INS Kursura Museum, aeroplane and helicopter museum, RK Beach, Kailasagiri Hills, Dolphin's Nose, Thotlakonda Buddhist Monastery, 17th century Buddhist township of Bheeminipatnam, Erra Matti Dibbalu (considered one of the largest congregation of red sand dunes) and Indira Gandhi Zoological Park.

HOHO buses will also have guide service with electronic display of stoppages. Even for locals, it will be a pleasant experience to take time out to enjoy the beauty of the city along with their near and dear.

Once HOHO buses are deployed, it will be convenient for the tourists to get down from the vehicle anywhere they like and board another bus at the designated stop during the hours allowed for operation of the double decker buses. This service will offer loads of fun and also helps the tourists to cut down their expenses towards conveyance.

Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh recently told a meeting organised by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) here on tourism that they are in the process of developing a Buddhist Circuit to increase the number of tourists to Visakhapatnam and other places. Hel-tourism and crew service will also be introduced from the City of Destiny soon. Proposals are also under consideration to introduce adventure sports like snorkeling, paragliding, trekking, rafting, kayaking and parachuting.

Andhra Pradesh Travel Forum (APTF) secretary Pawan Karthik said the city is in need of several tourist-friendly initiatives including strengthening of social infrastructure to attract more domestic and international tourists.

He wanted to speed up efforts to improve public transport like the metro rail and construction of theme parks for the convenience of people visiting the city.