Blueline buses will be off Delhi roads by March 2010: officials

Thursday, Sep 24, 2009

In the run up to next year's Commonwealth Games, the Delhi government has started procuring low floor CNG buses and all blueline buses - the privately-run services which have acquired a reputation of being 'killer' buses - will go off the capital's roads by March 2010, an official said Thursday.

'We have received 50 low floor buses in September and every month thereafter we are likely to receive more. As the fleet of DTC buses is increasing, we are phasing out blueline buses. This month itself, 150 blueline buses went off the capital's roads,' Delhi Transport Commissioner R.K. Verma told reporters.

According to Verma, there are now 2,700 blueline buses plying on various routes in the national capital compared to 5,500 in 2007 when their phasing out started.

'Our aim is to provide better public transport facilities to the people during the Commonwealth Games and by October 2010, Delhi will have 11,000 buses and 5,000 radio taxis. Besides, over 500 special buses will be procured to ferry the players and other officials during the games,' said Verma.

The Delhi government has also identified 35 points across the capital from where dedicated buses for the games and shuttle services will run to the games' venues.

'To avoid massive jams during the games, no private vehicles will be allowed near the games venue and we have identified 30 parking places, where people can park their vehicles and take public transport from the parking areas to the venues,' said Verma.

Verma said the Delhi government is already in talks with several companies to start a smart card based ticketing service during the games.

'The smart card can be used both for travelling in Delhi metro and buses. The buses will have automated ticketing machines and fare will be detected by punching the smart card,' he said.

To provide fool proof security to the players during the games, the Delhi government has outlined a dedicated games corridor.

'The corridor planned from the games village to the venues will remain closed to the public when players will be travelling - while going and coming back from the events - and rest of the time it will be open for the public,' he said.

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