The Delhi Transport Corporation on Tuesday launched smart cards for passengers on selected routes in Dwarka sub-city. Along with it was launched a low floor air conditioned shuttle bus service in Dwarka sub city, home to nearly one million people.
Inaugurating the 'Dwarka Circular Sewa', Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said "it is a red letter day for residents of Dwarka" as the bus service having automated fare collection system will substantially improve the local transportation.
"We have been making constant efforts in the last six- seven years to make Delhi a world class city. Delhi is becoming a world class city and we will leave no stone unturned to provide best of the facilities to our citizens," Dikshit said.
The bus service, now having six low floor buses, will cover all the sectors in Dwarka and which will also provide connectivity to Indira Gandhi International Airport.
Dikshit, while referring to Automated Fare Collection System, stated that new system which has been introduced today will prove to be a milestone in making the DTC the most comfortable public transport system in the country.
The new system has been introduced as a pilot project and it will be introduced in other buses and integrated with Delhi Metro, once people become used to it in time to come. Officials said commuters will be given smart cards to travel in the shuttle service and they will have to swipe the card at a device while entering the bus and again while alighting from it.
The smart cards will be available with the conductor. Initially, manual ticketing will also be issued.
If a passenger doesn't swipe his card while alighting, Rs 25 will be automatically deducted from his smart card.
They said commuters will have to pay Rs 2.50 for the first four kms and then Rs 1.25 per km would be charged per km. The maximum fare has been fixed at Rs 25.
Any passengers will be able to buy a smart card paying a security deposit of Rs 50.
Dikshit stated that her government has concentrated on providing a reliable and modern public transport system in Delhi keeping in view the ensuing Commonwealth Games.
She said the Government is keen to bring 5000-6000 AC and non-AC buses within one year.
Apart from this, it has been decided to install GPS system to monitor the movement of buses apart from ensuring an excellent maintenance.
Dikshit said the DTC is imparting training to its conductors so that they can welcome a large number of passengers including international tourists during Commonwealth Games.
She also stated that her government has revised BRT lane system keeping in view suggestions received from the public.
The BRT is now being accepted as a convenient system to ensure lane-wise discipline on roads where different kinds of vehicles ply side-by-side, she said.
Officials said the new bus depot, which also has a commercial bank with ATM, is expected to earn nearly Rs 2,20,000 per day. Apart from Dwarka Circular Bus Service, the Depot will provide services for buses plying on another four routes.
Transport Minister Arvinder Singh said the automated fare collection system is based on latest technology as it would be able to complete transaction in 300 milli second.
Lovely said the DTC has decided to install 20,000 Smart Card machines in its 10,000 buses in future. He said passengers can get their cards recharged in slabs of Rs 50 from the conductors. The system is very convenient for the passengers as they will not require to buy ticket from the conductor. PTI
