In a move to boost the city’s public transport system, the Delhi government has decided to run 1,000 new air-conditioned low-foor buses on public-private partnership (PPP) model in the Capital. A proposal has been prepared by the transport department and will be tabled in the Cabinet meeting this month.
“The government has decided to run 1,000 air-conditioned low-floor buses on PPP model. The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) will operate these buses. About 1,000 AC buses will start coming on roads from July this year,” said Transport Minister Gopal Rai.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government is aiming to augment public transport facilities before introducing the second phase of odd-even scheme, which Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said will be back in an “improved form”.
The government decided to opt for the PPP model as the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) could not buy buses, despite floating tenders two-three times as bus manufacturers did not show interest due to some conditions in the tenders.
“Corporate entities will give buses to DTC. The government will allow these buses to park in DTC's bus depots. DTC's conductors will be deployed in these buses,” Rai said.