Delhi to get app-based premium bus service

NEW DELHI: To encourage the use of public transport system in the capital, the Government of NCT of Delhi has decided to introduce app-based premium inter-city bus services for people commuting between Delhi and neighbouring cities like Ghaziabad, Gurugram, and Noida for work. It is also working for licensing premium bus service under Delhi Motor Vehicle Aggregator.

Chief Minister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal said that the Delhi government wishes to provide this kind of premium bus service so that people leave their private vehicles behind and use public transport. The Delhi government intends to collaborate with aggregators to operate premium buses in the city. He said that all buses under this project will be fully electric and will make every day inter-city trips efficient and comfortable.

CM Kejriwal on July 3, directed the Transport Department of the city to draft a policy on the scheme. He also noted that all buses under this programme will be BS-VI compliant AC CNG or electric buses in the starting phase. However, all the buses inducted after January 1, 2024, under this will only be electric. The buses to be introduced will be seating-only facility, equipped with CCTVs, panic buttons, and app support, and will be integrated with the One Delhi App for booking rides and making digital payments. They will pick up and drop passengers from the notified bus queue shelters and stage carriage permits will be issued for individual buses through licenses. He added that each aggregator licensed under the scheme will operate and maintain a fleet of a minimum 50 premium buses to be operational within 90 days.