The government decision to add 2300 CNG and diesel buses to the fleet of Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) gives much needed succor to the commuters of the Indian national capital bewildered by the undeclared strike of the private bus operators. More DTC buses on road also mean better adherence to traffic rules and safety related regulatory measures.

The declaration by the Delhi government to phase out the Blueline bus fleet operated by private bus owners in the national capital in the wake of continuous casualties on road put the onus on the DTC to successfully cater to the needs of commuters in and around the NCR. But, the public undertaking is already under severe strain due to its commitments to schools and lack of sufficient buses on road. One-third of its fleet is always in the workshop for repairing or maintenance. Equal numbers have been engaged to ferry school children into various public schools of the capital.

The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) is a public undertaking catering to the need of people living in Delhi and adjoining National Capital Region. But, its dwindling staff capacity and shortage of drivers is severely restraining its operational capability. The proposal to make DTC as the flagship of Delhi transportation has fallen short of average benchmark.

The government’s decision to add such a big number of buses requires pre requisite like sufficient maintenance and official staff and parking places. Few months back, a survey by an NGO pointed out that more than 30 % of DTC drivers are either over aged or lack minimum training and qualification for driving. Already reeling under loses to more than 300 crore rupees per annum, it is really a challenge for DTC to replace the killer Blueline buses on the Delhi roads.

Being a commuter in Delhi, I have the first-hand experience of daily bus service, which falls far short of any world-class city transportation. The decision to phase out Blueline buses is to mask inability of the government to regulate and control private vehicles. The government proposal for inviting corporate houses and cooperatives to run buses on Delhi roads cannot end rising accidents on the road in the absence of a vigilant policy by transport department and stern measures by the traffic police.

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Via: Green Car Congress