The long-pending demand of students to make their pass valid for DTC AC buses also has been accepted by the Delhi Government.

“Students have been demanding to implement one pass for all the DTC buses. We would have launched it earlier as all necessary steps were initiated but was delayed owing to the fare structure. However, we are working on the modalities and it will be set rolling in next six to seven weeks,” said a senior DTC official.

Currently, student passes are valid only for DTC non-AC and cluster buses. As per the DTC guidelines for students’ passes, the concessional passes are made on monthly basis for Rs 100. Students studying in regular colleges of any Central and Government authorised universities can avail pass.

However, for students of open (correspondence) courses at Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) and School of Open Learning (DU), the facility is restricted for travel between their residence and the colleges.

With DU Students’ Union elections slated for September 12, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyrathi Parishad (ABVP) and National Students’ Union of India are crying foul as they feel that the AAP Government has taken this decision to benefit its student wing Chhatra Yuva Sangarsh Samiti (CYSS).

“It is clearly visible that the AAP is making political move to garner votes for its student wing. It is nothing more than an eyewash, as the city Government did nothing to address this core issue earlier. There are no buses available with the DTC as it has been facing shortage of fleets, thus issuing AC passes are of little significance,” said Vijender Gupta, BJP MLA from Rohini.

Meanwhile, NSUI Delhi president Akshay Lakra said, “The Delhi Government is directly campaigning for its student wing. We have been demanding woman safety, cameras in buses and U-special buses for girl students for the last four years but the Delhi Government didn’t pay heed. But now as DUSU poll is round the corner, they have suddenly made a move to gain votes.”