Delhi nod to 4 more cluster bus services
The Delhi Cabinet on Monday approved cluster bus service to be run by corporate entities. The Cabinet gave its approval for four clusters, which in all will bring about 700 buses in the city in a move to mitigate the shortfall due to the phaseout of Blueline buses from the city. Briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting, Delhi transport
minister Arvinder Singh Lovely said the approval has been given for cluster 2,3,4 and 5, which in all will have 672 buses. “These clusters have been awarded to successful bidders who will commence their operations in six months’ time,” added the minister. The Delhi’s transport department last year had divided nearly 650 bus routes in the city into 17 clusters, which included both profitable and non-profitable routes, and had decided to give each cluster to a private operator through the bidding process. The buses which the corporate entities would bring would follow strict quality standards along with GPS system and other facilities like electronic display boards.
The city government had awarded the first cluster to Star Bus Services Pvt Ltd which is likely to start their service with 232 buses by the end of this month along the BRT corridor in the south Delhi area. Mr Lovely told reporters that in the next six months there would be about 914 buses plying in the five clusters, while tender process for remaining clusters would soon be initiated. The five clusters would cater to the needs of the commuters in the areas of south, south east and south west Delhi.
The proposal for the clusters will have bus fares decided by the transport department which would go to the city government and the private operator would be paid a fixed amount under kilometre scheme. As per the Cabinet approval. cluster 2 has been awarded to Indraprastha Logistics Ltd which had quoted minimum amount of `30.88 per kilometre. Each cluster will have 232 buses. Clusters 3, 4 and 5 have been awarded to A B Grain Spirits Pvt Ltd.
“For cluster three the company will get `36.68 per km, while for cluster four and five, it will be given `35.69 and `34.79 per kilometre,” stated a senior official.In a departure from the earlier policy of DTC running 60 per cent and private operators 40 per cent in each of the clusters, the government has reportedely reversed the scheme. Now 60 per cent buses will be run by private entities and 40 per cent will be operated by the DTC, added the official.
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