Most routes overlap with those of DTC buses; School of Planning and Architecture roped in
The Delhi government's Transport Department is all set to change the routes of 798 state-run mini-stage carriage (feeder) buses plying on 73 routes in the city, in order to ensure optimum wait time and viability of the service. The department has asked the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA) to conduct a study for the purpose.
Besides, the department also plans to increase the frequency of these buses. The mini-buses take short trips to connect passengers to major bus stops and also function as last-mile connectivity service.
"We have asked the transport planning department of the SPA to carry out a route rationalisation study for stretches covered by mini-buses. After ascertaining the travel demand and load shared by big buses of Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and cluster buses, the common routes running parallel will be clubbed to achieve frequency of 10 to 15 minutes on each route, without adding more new permits for these buses," a senior officer said.
The decision was taken in a recent meeting of the State Transport Authority (STA). As per a Delhi High Court order, new permits for mini-buses cannot be granted without the court's approval. The average route length covered by these buses in the city is 17 km.
At present, most of these routes are also overlapping with the DTC and cluster buses. The overall load of peak and non-peak hours and frequency of these buses needs to be scientifically calculated, the officer said.
"The idea is to make these buses not only viable, but also to provide reliable and punctual means of transport to lakhs of commuters. Also, it has been decided that the operators of mini-buses will be allowed to operate on routes of their choice, where the service is required to maintain an average frequency of 10 minutes. The operators will be given notices in this regard and the routes will be decided," he said.
Other commercial vehicles such as Gramin Sewas and e-rickshaws plying on these routes also affect the overall economic viability of these buses.
IN NUMBERS
11,000 standard-size buses required
3,944 standard-size DTC buses
1634 (cluster buses) standard-size at present
798 mini stage buses (feeder)
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