a day ago
DTC revises rates to hire its electric buses
Schools, private agencies, the Delhi Police, Tourism Department, and others looking to hire buses for film-shooting purposes will have to pay the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) a higher fee to hire its buses, according to a proposal passed by the DTC Board.
The DTC will now have to submit the proposal to the Transport Department to seek approval from the Delhi government.
The new hire rates for DTC's electric buses have been proposed at Rs 110 per km, with a minimum daily charge of Rs 7,700 per bus for up to 70 km. A cost analysis for 2024–25 revealed that the per-kilometre cost of e-buses stands at Rs 90.38. The new rates would ensure cost efficiency and alignment with operational expenses, according to a statement from the Transport Minister's Office.
The existing hire rates for CNG buses are Rs 60 per km (non-AC) and Rs 75 per km (AC), with minimum daily charges of Rs 3,000 and Rs 4,500, respectively. The existing hire rates for Delhi Police, Tourism Department, and private agencies were fixed in 2009 and for film shooting purposes in 2011.
The majority of DTC's CNG fleet is going to be scrapped by the end of 2025, and 'therefore it is essential to fix hire charges for e-buses,' according to the resolution approved by the DTC Board.
'This decision marks a strategic step toward making DTC financially self-sustaining. Our goal is clear — to transform DTC into a revenue-surplus and profitable entity within a year,' said Transport Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh at the DTC Board meeting.
'With these revised rates, we not only ensure fair recovery for electric buses but also open avenues for DTC's participation in creative sectors like film shooting, contributing to both revenue and public engagement,' Singh added.
At present, there are 3,266 buses under the DTC. Of these, 1,895 are electric buses and 1,371 are CNG buses.
With the addition of 200 buses, which were flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week, the electric fleet increased to 2,095 buses. 2,080 more electric buses are set to be added to the fleet by the end of the year.
