Delhi mohalla bus service: Trial run starts on two routes

The Delhi government initiated the trial run of its mohalla bus service on Monday, covering two routes for a week, according to Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot.

During a press conference, Gahlot announced that the scheme will eventually include 2,080 buses, all to be operational by 2025. Of these, 1,040 will be managed by the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and the rest by the Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS).

The fare for the mohalla buses will match that of the AC buses run by the Delhi government, and women can travel for free using Pink passes.

“The introduction of the mohalla bus service marks a significant step towards enhancing last-mile connectivity in our city,” Gahlot said.

He explained that the buses are designed to navigate highly congested areas with narrow roads, providing a reliable transportation option for locals.

“The trial will help us gather essential feedback to ensure the service meets the needs of Delhiites,” he added.

The routes for the trial run are being finalised with input from various organisations, including IIT-Delhi.

For seven days, the trial run will cover two routes: Pradhan Enclave Pushta to Majlis Park Metro Station and Akshardham Metro Station to Mayur Vihar Phase-III Paper Market.

The green-painted buses, easily identifiable, are equipped with six battery packs with a total capacity of 196KW, providing a range of over 200 km with a 45-minute opportunity charge.

These nine-meter buses have 23 passenger seats and can accommodate 13 standing passengers. Six seats are reserved for women, marked in pink.

Currently, the Delhi government operates 100 buses acquired from the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to enhance last-mile connectivity, with a maximum route length of 10 km.

Gahlot emphasised that these buses will improve first and last-mile connectivity, especially in areas where larger 12-meter buses face operational challenges due to size and turning radius.

The Delhi government has constructed 16 depots across the city for the parking and maintenance of mohalla buses. (With inputs from PTI)