Delhi authorities will quickly search suggestions from the general public on a coverage to introduce premium buses for commuters to encourage them to ditch their autos and hop on to public transport, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal mentioned on Wednesday. The chief minister chaired a high-level assembly right here to set the work on the Delhi Motor Vehicle Licensing of Aggregators (Premium Buses) scheme in movement.
The scheme will encourage car-users to shift to the next-generation premium public transport and cut back air pollution and intra-city journeys, mentioned a authorities assertion.
“App-based aggregators will ply state-of-the-art, next-generation buses equipped with every modern facility to appeal to those who drive their personal cars,” mentioned Kejriwal, based on the assertion.
“All the buses will be BS-VI compliant Air Conditioned CNG or electric buses. All buses inducted under this scheme after January 1, 2024, shall be electric only. All buses will be seating-only, equipped with app support, CCTVs and panic buttons, and integrated with the One Delhi app for booking rides and making digital payments,” he mentioned.
During the assembly, officers introduced Kejriwal with an in depth blueprint for the drafting and implementation of a coverage in accordance with the scheme.
This venture will serve passengers who want such a public transport service that meets excessive requirements of high quality, consolation, comfort, and effectivity, the assertion mentioned.
During the assembly, Kejriwal directed the transport division to begin engaged on the scheme and draft a coverage for it.
Once drafted, the coverage can be moved for public opinion and accordingly notified for implementation.
Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot was additionally current within the assembly with senior officers of the involved departments.
“Chief Minister Shri Arvind Kejriwal took stock of the app-based premium bus service to be started soon in Delhi. Premium bus service will be introduced as a suitable option for private vehicle users so that more and more people can use public transport,” Gahlot mentioned in a tweet.
According to the assertion, every aggregator licensed below the scheme shall function and preserve a fleet of minimal 50 premium buses to be operationalised inside 90 days.
The aggregator will be capable to decide the bus routes.
“Such routes shall be notified on the mobile or web-based application. The aggregator shall intimate the Transport Department when starting any new route or modifying/ terminating any route.
“A previous discover of seven days shall be supplied to the Transport Department and to most people earlier than any adjustments are made to the prevailing routes,” said the statement.
The aggregators will be able to determine “appropriate dynamic” fare structures for route destinations, it said.
The fare shall be displayed on the mobile and browser-based application. Passengers will be able to get tickets only through mobile and browser-based apps and no physical tickets will be issued.
The aggregators will have to put in place a grievance redressal mechanism and ensure that there is a mandatory panic button on the mobile and browser-based apps.
There should at least be two active CCTV cameras in each vehicle during the trip with the aggregator having the flexibility to operate mini/midi or standard size buses.
The Transport/Police Helpline number (42400400) has to be displayed.
The CNG buses operated by aggregators must not be older than three years, the statement said.
The aggregator will have to provide proof of adequate overnight parking space for all buses since they will not be allowed to park vehicles in public spaces.
“The aggregator and allow holder should decide up and drop passengers on the notified bus queue shelters solely. The charge for utilization of bus queue shelters shall be paid individually. Any extra halting stations shall be supplied via a single -window mechanism established by the Transport Department,” added the statement.
The app would help the passengers know the arrival and departure of buses at various stops across Telangana and nearby States where TSRTC services are available, so that the passengers can plan their travel to avoid waiting time at the bus stops/stations, it said. Sajjanar said that to start with, 140 buses have been identified for the pilot project involving tracking, out of which 40 have been AC Pushpak buses of Cantonment and Miyapur-2 depots being operated to the international airport here on different routes and 100 long-distance buses of Miyapur-1 and Picket depots.
“We are taking a look at mobility as a service as an alternative of outright procurement to allow STUs to swap their current fleet with electrical buses. Their stability sheet will stay gentle. Also, aggregation of demand will usher in scale and assist realise decrease costs,” mentioned Acharya.
Source: auto.economictimes.indiatimes.com
