Delhi to implement reforms in public transportations ahead of ‘odd-even’

NEW DELHI: Almost two weeks prior to the implementation of Delhi government’s flagship scheme to curb the annual increase in pollution in the month of November, new reforms in public transportation system of the national capital are to be implemented in order to facilitate the daily commuters.

Around 2,000 extra buses would be hired between November 4-15 during the ‘Odd-Even’ scheme. The cabinet, which was chaired by Arvind Kejriwal, Chief Minister, Delhi, has also approved the rates for the procurement of the buses. An official statement released by the cabinet informed, “The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) will provide conductors in these buses and will keep the revenue generated by operating these buses, whereas the driver will be provided by the owner of the bus, besides bearing all other responsibilities in relation to operation of buses including the maintenance of the buses.”

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) will be incrementing the ticketing system on 3 main corridors of the rail service- the blue, red and yellow lines. 100 token vending machines and 275 new automatic fare collection (AFC) gates are to be installed on stations like Raja Garden, Subhash Nagar, Connaught Place, AIIMS etc. which see heavy footfall daily. The move will reduce the long queues at such busy stations.