Latest news with #DelhiTransportCorporation
NDTV
5 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Pink Tickets Out, Aadhaar-Linked Pass For Delhi Women's Free Bus Rides
New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has announced that the current system of pink tickets for free bus rides on Delhi Transport Corporation and cluster buses will soon be replaced with a new Aadhaar-linked Pink Pass, which will allow only women and transgender people living in Delhi to use the benefit. "Very soon, we will replace the pink ticket with a Pink Pass for free bus travel for women in Delhi," said Ms Gupta. "This benefit will be limited to Delhi residents only." To apply for the pass, eligible applicants will need to submit Aadhaar, PAN, proof of residence, a passport-size photograph, and complete KYC documentation. Transport Minister Pankaj Singh confirmed that preparations for the rollout are in progress. "We are finalising the digital and administrative framework for the Pink Pass," he said, underscoring that Aadhaar will serve as the primary ID for eligibility verification. The pink ticket scheme, introduced in 2019, has been widely used, with lakhs of women benefiting from free travel daily. Officials, however, say the open-access nature of the system led to misuse, with non-residents also availing the benefit and allegations of corruption surfacing in recent months. These include inflated ticket counts, discrepancies in ridership data, and possible revenue leakages, raising questions about transparency and the actual reach of the scheme. While no official date has been set for the transition, authorities indicate that the Pink Pass system will be rolled out in phases over the coming months. Further details on the application process and issuance centres are expected to be announced soon. In the meantime, pink tickets will continue to remain valid.
India Today
6 days ago
- India Today
Aadhaar must for Delhi women to get free bus rides. Key details
Travelling in DTC buses is about to change for women in Delhi. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has announced that the current pink ticket system for free bus rides will soon be replaced with a Pink Pass, meant only for Delhi's women shift isn't just cosmetic. The new system comes with stricter eligibility: only women who are residents of Delhi will get the benefit, and to access it, an Aadhaar card will be soon, we will replace the pink ticket with a Pink Pass for free bus travel for women in Delhi. However, this free travel will be available only to women who are residents of Delhi." Chief Minister Rekha GuptaAADHAAR IS NOW MANDATORY FOR THE BENEFITS While the free bus ride scheme has been popular among women commuters in Delhi, the new plan aims to fine-tune the benefit by ensuring it only reaches local residents. According to Transport Minister Pankaj Singh, a new system is currently being developed and will be rolled out soon. The key change? Women will need to produce their Aadhaar card to qualify for the free Aadhaar requirement ensures that only Delhi-based women can avail the service, closing any loophole that allowed women from neighbouring states to ride for CHANGES TO IMPROVE DELHI'S TRANSPORTApart from this, CM Rekha Gupta also inaugurated a new automatic testing station at Nand Nagri Depot. These kinds of smart infrastructure additions are expected to modernise Delhi's public transport system, especially for vehicle fitness also addressed the financial health of the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), stating that the government is committed to rescuing DTC from a massive Rs 65,000 crore loss. One of the steps includes reworking the city's bus routes in collaboration with IIT experts to make them more efficient and NEXT FOR COMMUTERS?For now, the pink tickets will continue. But once the Pink Pass system rolls out, women riders in Delhi should expect a more digitised and regulated way of accessing free travel. This could also mean a smarter verification system, possibly integrated with smart cards or mobile apps later down the move is part of a larger push to not only provide women with safer, cost-free public transport but also to curb misuse and ensure accountability.- EndsTrending Reel
Hans India
6 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Chaos in Delhi as private bus fleet goes off-road
New Delhi: Delhi's public transport system is under mounting pressure as over 600 buses were pulled from service on Wednesday, leaving lakhs of daily commuters stranded across the capital. The crisis was triggered by the termination of contracts for 533 private CNG cluster buses operated under the Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS) and an ongoing strike by bus operators over unpaid salaries. According to officials, 613 buses in total, including around 80 buses from the Ghazipur depot—did not operate on July 16. This abrupt drop in fleet strength has intensified crowding at bus stops and caused delays on major routes, especially during peak commuting hours in the morning and evening. Delhi currently records around 40 lakh daily bus passengers, but with fewer buses on the road, many passengers are forced to wait longer and travel in overcrowded vehicles. The problem is particularly severe in areas that already suffered from limited frequency and connectivity. Until July 15, Delhi's combined bus fleet stood at 6,368 vehicles, which included 3,372 buses from Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and 2,996 from DIMTS. The DTC fleet comprised 1,170 CNG buses, 1,800 twelve-meter electric buses, and 402 nine-meter electric buses (Devi buses). DIMTS, on the other hand, operated 2,283 CNG buses, 380 electric buses, and 333 Devi buses. With the exit of 533 CNG cluster buses, the total number of operational buses has now fallen to 5,835, far below the estimated requirement of 11,000 to meet Delhi's public transport demands. The situation stems from the expiration of the bus contract on July 15. The dispute over the contract's renewal reached the Delhi High Court, which referred the matter to an arbitrator. On July 15, the arbitrator ruled that the contract period had not been extended, though the Delhi government is free to enter into a new agreement if it chooses. However, the transition has been anything but smooth, as salary delays have triggered a strike among drivers and operators, compounding the shortage. This double blow,legal delays and worker unrest has left commuters facing significant inconvenience. Long queues, packed buses, and uncertainty have become the norm for Delhi's public transport users. Critics have also pointed fingers at the BJP-led Delhi government, questioning its preparedness and long-term planning. Although the government has announced its aim to electrify the entire bus fleet by 2027, progress has been limited. Only small nine-meter electric buses (Devi) have been introduced so far, with larger electric buses yet to make a visible impact on the ground.
NDTV
7 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Smart Travel Cards, Bus Queue Shelters: Delhi Government To Transform DTC
New Delhi: The Delhi government has initiated a major overhaul of the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) to provide world-class public transport services to the citizens of the national capital. According to a release, under this initiative, smart travel cards will soon be introduced, bus routes are being restructured, interstate bus terminals (ISBTs) will be modernised, and bus queue shelters (BQSs) will be redesigned to be more comfortable and high-tech. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, while addressing a high-level review meeting of the Transport Department on Tuesday, asserted that with the guidance and support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the dream of equipping Delhi with world-class public transport will soon be realised. The meeting was attended by Transport Minister Dr Pankaj Singh, Chief Secretary Dharmendra Kumar, Transport Commissioner Niharika Rai, and other senior officials. CM Gupta stated that DTC, which is currently running at a loss of Rs 60,000 crore due to past mismanagement, will be revitalised and transformed into a robust transport service. She further added that the number of both small (DEVI) and large buses is being increased, and the new routes are being strategically planned to enhance accessibility for commuters. "Our government envisions DTC as a symbol of excellent transport service in Delhi," the CM stated, as per the release. Delhi CM, while reviewing the city's transport systems, laid out key developments that will shape Delhi's public transport future. One of the major announcements was the introduction of a unified smart card system for all modes of public transport in Delhi. This card will enable seamless travel across DTC buses, Delhi Metro, and the upcoming Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS). The Chief Minister also announced a special Pink Card for women and transgender residents, which will allow them free travel in DTC buses. Discussions are currently underway with banks to ensure a smooth and foolproof rollout of these cards, aimed at making public transportation more accessible and hassle-free. CM Gupta also shared the current status of the DTC fleet, noting that Delhi operates 660 small electric buses, 1,800 large electric buses, and 1,800 CNG buses, with a total of 4,800 electric buses forming the city's robust EV fleet. However, she acknowledged that many of these buses still operate on outdated routes, limiting their effectiveness in serving the city's population. To address this, the government has collaborated with IIT Delhi to design a comprehensive new route plan. This plan aims to enhance bus connectivity in underserved areas and improve integration with Metro services. A pilot project will be initiated in Yamuna Vihar, following which the model will be implemented citywide, the release said. Another key area of focus is the modernisation of Bus Queue Shelters (BQS) across the capital. All BQS will be upgraded with real-time arrival displays, LED lighting, digital boards, solar power support, and weather-resistant designs. These upgrades will be executed through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. Currently, out of the 4,627 shelters in Delhi, only 2,021 are functional. The new shelter designs are inspired by global standards and tailored to Delhi's local needs, the press release added. The Chief Minister also emphasised the need to transform Delhi's Inter-State Bus Terminals (ISBTs) into world-class facilities. Terminals like Kashmere Gate, Anand Vihar, and Sarai Kale Khan will be revamped to provide airport-like amenities, ensuring passenger comfort, safety, and accessibility. These terminals will be equipped with modern infrastructure and will serve as model hubs for intercity travel in India's capital. CM Rekha Gupta reiterated, "With the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and collaborative efforts between the Centre and Delhi Government, we are determined to give Delhi citizens a sustainable, green, and smart public transport experience."
Time of India
7 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Delhi govt launches overhaul of public transport network
The Delhi government has begun a large-scale overhaul of its public transport system, with Chief Minister Rekha Gupta reviewing key reforms aimed at modernising the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), upgrading bus infrastructure and improving route planning. According to PTI, at a meeting with senior officials of the Transport Department, the chief minister said the administration is working towards building a sustainable and inclusive transport network. Route rationalisation and smart travel card Backed by the expertise of IIT Delhi , the government is rationalising bus routes across the city to improve connectivity in underserved areas and integrate them with the Delhi Metro and the upcoming Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS). A pilot restructuring plan is set to begin in Yamuna Vihar. The chief minister also reviewed plans for a unified smart travel card that would allow travel across DTC buses, the Metro and RRTS. A 'Pink Card' scheme is also being introduced to allow free travel for women and transgender commuters on DTC buses. Discussions with banks are ongoing for implementation. Despite the existing fleet of 4,800 electric buses—comprising 660 small and 1,800 large e-buses—alongside 1,800 CNG buses, many continue to operate on outdated routes. Rationalising these routes is part of the broader effort to improve last-mile connectivity. Infrastructure upgrades and integration with Centre Of Delhi's 4,627 bus queue shelters (BQS), only 2,021 are currently operational. The government is upgrading the shelters with new designs under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, adding solar panels, digital boards, LED lighting and real-time arrival displays. Inter-state bus terminals (ISBTs) including Kashmere Gate, Anand Vihar and Sarai Kale Khan are also being redeveloped. Plans include upgraded amenities and improved infrastructure to enhance commuter access and safety. The chief minister noted that the transport overhaul is being conducted in coordination with the central government and supported by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 'We are determined to give Delhi citizens a travel experience that is safe, smart and sustainable,' she said. Transport Minister Pankaj Singh said DTC is being restructured to become a revenue-surplus and efficient organisation. All future bus stop construction will follow the new rationalisation model. Upgrades to depots and terminals are also underway to support the electric fleet and improve working conditions for staff. The DEVI mini electric bus service, currently operating in densely populated areas, has received a strong public response and is contributing to last-mile connectivity, he added.
