DTC's student passes now valid in AC buses also

New DELHI: The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) on Friday allowed students to use their concessional passes in air-conditioned buses as part of its efforts to decongest the roads by encouraging them to travel by public transport. Earlier, Delhi Cabinet has on 9 October approved the facility of student concessional passes to DTC's air-conditioned buses.

Currently, student passes are valid only for DTC non-AC and cluster buses. As per the DTC guidelines for student passes, the concessional passes are made on a monthly basis for Rs 100. Students studying in regular colleges of any Central and government authorised universities can avail the pass facility. "All concerned officers are informed to kindly instruct all the concerned staff for allowing non-AC Student Concessional Bus Pass in AC buses also," read a notification issued by DTC on Friday.

"Congratulations to Delhi students. As promised by your government, now your student pass is valid in AC buses. A notification has been issued and the decision has now been implemented," Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot tweeted.

Delhi Finance Minister Manish Sisodia had said that DTC is at present getting support from the government in the form of Grant-in-Aid and subsidy component on passes. Honouring of DTC passes in air-conditioned buses will practically increase the ridership in air-conditioned buses and will reduce the overall congestion to some extent.