In a bid to overcome the acquisition hurdle of new buses to tackle the huge shortage, Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) is likely to run buses under the cluster scheme on the lines of Delhi Integrated Multi-Model Transit System (DIMTS) which at present operates orange buses. According to Transport Minister Gopal Rai, the Government will soon take a decision on a proposal prepared by DTC to run buses to be owned by corporate entities.
According to Rai, the Government is exploring the possibility of running buses under cluster scheme to meet shortage of buses in the national Capital. He said that if DTC runs buses under cluster scheme, it will increase the numbers of buses and will also facilitate the people of Delhi. “Under the scheme, we will approach corporate entities who will run their buses, but to be operated by the DTC,” Rai said.
Delhiites have been facing difficulties in commuting due to shortage of buses in the Capital. As per the court’s order, both DTC and DIMTS, have to run 5,500 buses each in the Capital. According to a senior Government official, there are over 20,000 registered buses in Delhi, out of which, around only 6,000 buses, including DTC’s 4,555 buses and around 1,500 orange buses, are directly involved in ferrying passengers and the rest are plying under contract carriage.
The Transport Minister said that if proposal is cleared, DTC will divide the city into small clusters so that all areas could be covered under the scheme. He added that since DTC doesn’t have land for bus depots, there will be a provision in an agreement with concessionaires who will have to arrange land for parking their buses. “With this, Government will not have to look for land to park such buses,” Rai said.
At present, DTC buys buses and then operates them, but under cluster scheme, concessionaires will run their buses under the banner of DTC. The DTC has also experience to run such types of buses as it used to operate private buses a few years ago, an official said.
Sources said that concessionaire-hired drivers will run these buses to be operated by DTC which will depute its conductors in the vehicles and DTC will pay the amount to concessionaire as per km scheme.