Double-decker buses make a comeback in Delhi
The iconic green and yellow double-decker buses that once defined Delhi’s public transport were back on the roads on Friday in a new avatar — electric with
luxurious seating capacity.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday flagged off Delhi Tourism’s state-of-the-art double-decker electric tourist bus service, Dekho Meri Dilli, from Rafi Marg, marking a new initiative in the Capital’s tourism sector.
The fare for the bus is INR 500 plus 5 per cent GST. The fare for children aged five to 10 years is INR 300 plus 5 per cent GST, while children below five years of age may travel free of charge.
The 63-seater double-decker bus, fitted with modern amenities, advanced safety systems and a panoramic upper deck, will provide tourists with a comfortable and memorable travel experience. The tourism department will operate the bus on a fixed route connecting key landmarks in central Delhi.
Launched by the Delhi Tourism Department in collaboration with the Hinduja Group, the bus is fully electric. The starting point of this special tourism circuit has been designated as Delhi Haat, INA, from where the bus will depart daily at 9 am.
The route will cover Vijay Chowk, Rashtrapati Bhavan, North Block and South Block, the National Museum, the National Gallery of Modern Art, the Prime Ministers’ Museum, the National War Memorial and India Gate, before returning to Delhi Haat, INA. The circuit is designed to offer tourists a structured and comfortable experience of Delhi’s major historical, cultural and national landmarks.
Delhi Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra was present on the occasion. The Chief Minister described the initiative as an excellent example of the Government’s visionary policy and the successful implementation of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
Following the event, the Chief Minister, the Tourism Minister, media representatives and officials boarded the bus and travelled from Rafi Marg via India Gate, Akbar Road and Teen Murti Marg to the Prime Minister’s Museum.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister stated that this initiative is a significant step towards establishing Delhi as a modern and world-class tourism destination.
Mishra stated that the launch of the electric double-decker bus is not merely the introduction of a vehicle, but a step towards firmly placing Delhi on the global tourism map. He remarked that under previous Governments, a lack of vision and inadequate facilities in the tourism sector, along with environmental neglect, had reduced Delhi to the status of a transit city.
Double-decker buses were once a common sight in Delhi. The Delhi Transport Corporation operated them as ‘Suvidha’ buses before phasing them out in 1989 due to an ageing fleet. With this new tourism service, the iconic buses are set to return to Delhi roads, this time with sightseeing firmly on the agenda.
Attempts to bring them back for the 2010 Commonwealth Games and again in 2022 ahead of the G20 Summit did not materialise after feasibility studies raised concerns, said DTC officials. In 2011, the then Delhi Government even considered the idea of using open-top double-decker buses on tourist routes in the city as part of the “Hop on Hop Off (HoHo)” buses, which were active then.
