The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) is going to undertake a major route rationalisation programme to optimise passenger volumes and ticket collection. It will also re-introduce the ladies’ special bus services on 17 routes from next week in order to provide greater comfort and safety to woman passengers.
Delhi Transport Minister Ramakant Goswami said on Saturday that route rationalisation of DTC was among the priority areas on which he was working upon after taking over the new portfolio.
“The Chief Minister also wanted the routes to be rationalised as we often see one bus of a route being followed by another of the same route. Such scenarios should be avoided and more buses should ply on routes where demand is more.”
Mr. Goswami said while Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System had earlier conducted a study in this regard, the rationalisation issue will be taken up afresh in order to have the best bus service possible.
“We have also placed orders for 675 more buses and that will help augment the service.”
The Minister said the government was also looking at improving DTC service in rural areas now as roads there are gradually being improved after their transfer from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to the Public Works Department.
He said among other initiatives to improve the DTC operations, the government will re-introduce the “Ladies Special” service on 17 routes from September 27.
“These buses will cover various commercial centres of Delhi such as Nehru Place, Janakpuri and Rohini, and will provide safe and comfortable travel to women passengers.”
To improve the revenue stream of DTC buses, Mr. Goswami said the Delhi government was also considering Delhi Police offer of issuing passes to its staff at Rs.600 per annum.
“After the recent drive against ticketless travel, in which several police personnel and government employees were caught, I met Special Commissioner [Administration] B.S. Bassi of Delhi Police and he made the offer of providing DTC passes to all interested police personnel at a price. We are considering the proposal but the amount offered is too meagre.”
The Minister said efforts were being made to rehabilitate the owners of Blueline buses as per High Court orders and plans were afoot to allot them mini bus routes or other such scheme so that they have a source of livelihood.
