‘Hoho’ -- the capital’s first hop-on hop-off bus service -- was launched on Monday to offer Commonwealth Games visitors a “perfect introduction” to Delhi.
The bus service, primarily targeting CWC visitors, was flagged off by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.
It will run across the city covering almost all the important tourist destinations including monuments, museums and popular markets.
“The bus service will take visitors across the city. It is a very special service and I hope people will like it,” Ms. Dikshit said.
Modelled on the best of such facilities in some European countries, the starting point of the hop-on hop-off bus service will be the Baba Kharag Singh Marg in Connaught Place.
Tourists can hop on and hop off at any of the 19 stops on the way as per their convenience. The buses will ply at half hour interval from 8 AM to 8 PM.
All the 14 ‘Hoho’ buses are spacious, air-conditioned and have on-board entertainment facilities. Every bus has a guest relations executive who will give tourists information about all the sites which are part of the tour.
“One comprehensive Hoho route covers most of the major attractions in Delhi and these are a mix of famous historic sites, museums and markets of Delhi. For visitors, the service will be a perfect introduction to Delhi,” said Reena Roy, Managing Director of Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC).
Ms. Dikshit said the number of buses may be increased in future depending on the response of tourists.
The ‘Hoho’ service is a joint venture between DTTDC, Prasanna Purple Mobility Solutions Pvt Ltd and Urban Mass Transit Company Ltd (UMTC).
“Hoho buses follow a loop system, which is organised in such a way that these buses continuously move on a fixed route all day long. So one can board or get off a bus at any of the earmarked points on the way,” said another official.
Anybody wanting to experience the service can book their ticket online at www.hohodelhi.com or just hop onto the bus and by a ticket on board. A ticket will cost Rs 300.
Entry tickets to major monuments like Red Fort, Qutub Minar and Humayun’s tomb and some other sites like Dilli Haat will be available inside the buses.
Roy said the service has been designed to provide a perfect introduction to the city to tourists.
The Tourism Department already has trained guides who will be deployed at historical monuments to offer the tourists relevant information.
