NEW DELHI: Air-conditioned buses will be run in Delhi for reducing dependence on private vehicles and combatting pollution.
The residents of Delhi are set to experience a new level of public transportation with the upcoming launch of air-conditioned buses operated by private companies. Scheduled to begin in August, this initiative is part of the Delhi government’s Delhi Motor Vehicles Licensing of Aggregator (Premium Buses) Scheme. This scheme, introduced last year, aims to reduce the use of private vehicles within the city and combat pollution.
Officials have announced that Uber and Aaveg are the two aggregators licensed to operate these premium buses in the Delhi-NCR region. The routes for these services are currently being finalised, with a target to launch the buses by the end of this month or the first week of August.
The scheme defines a “premium bus” as a fully air-conditioned luxury vehicle with a minimum seating capacity of nine passengers. These buses will feature pre-reserved reclining seats, Wi-Fi, GPS, and CCTV. The buses must be less than three years old if they run on CNG, and from January 1, 2025, only electric buses will be allowed to join the service.
An Aaveg official revealed that the company has finalised several routes in west and central Delhi. Their fleet will include both, electric and CNG buses, with plans to transition entirely to electric buses by the end of December. The buses, which will have 41 seats, will allow passengers to book their seats through the Aaveg app. The service is expected to be operational by the end of this month or the first week of August, following successful trials and route assessments.
In a statement given in May, Uber said customers will be able to pre-book seats on their preferred route by choosing the ‘Uber Shuttle’ option on the Uber app. Each shuttle vehicle will be able to accommodate between 19 and 50 passengers and will be operated by local fleet partners, utilising Uber’s technology.
Sources from the transport department said that the two aggregators have to submit the routes, driver details, and bus details to them. Under the scheme, license holders will be permitted to determine bus routes and provide fares that are dynamic and no lower than the peak fare of the air-conditioned buses run by the Delhi Transport Corporation.
Earlier this week, Delhi Metro announced plans to extend check-in facilities for international passengers at the New Delhi and Shivaji Stadium metro stations on the Airport Express Line.
A statement by the Delhi Metro Railway Corporation (DMRC) said that while the service was previously available only for domestic travellers, the ‘check-in and baggage-drop’ service now accommodates international passengers flying with Air India and Vistara Airlines too. “The DMRC invites more airlines to set up this facility to further benefit travellers,” it added.
According to DMRC, the initiative aims to enhance passenger convenience and streamline travel procedures for international flights departing from Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI). “In collaboration with Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), Air India, and Vistara Airlines, the DMRC is extending this service to facilitate easier check-in for international passengers at these key metro stations in Delhi,” it said.
The check-in counters became operational in the first week of June. Passengers can check in their luggage at these metro stations, and their baggage will be securely transported to the aircraft using advanced automated systems, the DMRC said.
The service is available for Air India passengers at the New Delhi and Shivaji Stadium metro stations from 6 am to 9 pm and for Vistara Airlines passengers at the New Delhi station from 6 am to 8 pm every day.
Passengers can check in anytime between 12 and two hours prior to the departure of their domestic flight and between four and three hours for international flights. At the New Delhi Metro Station, airline check-in counters are located at the concourse level, while at the Shivaji Stadium Metro Station, the check-in counters are situated adjacent to the VFS Global Office at the concourse level, it said.
“With these initiatives, ease of transport will become a reality”, said an expert. The transport facilities need to be further increased in the city to reduce the dependence of citizens on cars and curb pollution”, he added.