DTC bus service and Delhi traffic

This is a post about DTC which is a corporation misused by the politicians of Delhi State government and the traffic problems in city of Delhi which is increasing daily.

The new low floor buses were introduced in Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) bus fleet. The common people were happy to see the progress as they were fed-up of the old buses which were breaking down on their journey mostly.

The political game started and the killer Blueline buses-the one under the private player run under the DTC-were talked about. Slowly the permits were cancelled with the slogan that Delhi should be free from the killer buses.

But now the real picture is coming out. Influential people having they say in the present government of Sheila Dixit-CM of Delhi-have been given the permit for the new low floor orange buses which are run by private players.

The scam is that the most rush routes of DTC have fewer number of Green buses which are under DTC allowing all the passes. Let talk about the pass system of DTC:

1. Monthly Pass: which is valid in all the buses, be it Red bus-AC ones, Orange bus-running private player, Green bus-ordinary bus.
2. Student Pass: is valid in all the buses.
3. Day Pass of Rs. 50: this is valid for a day only in Red bus and the Green bus.
4. Day Pass of Rs. 40: this is valid for a day only in Green bus.

The political game behind is that the Day Pass is not allowed in the Orange Bus which are mostly belonging to the muscle men of the present Delhi government. On the route which is most crowed only two buses are running on frequent intervals i.e. Red Bus-which is costliest, and the Orange Bus-which does not permit Day Pass.

Why the Day Pass is not allowed in the Orange Bus?

Route No. 534 connecting Anand Vihar Inter State Bus Terminus (ISBT) to Delhi Airport has heavy rush as it is connecting Sarai Kale Khan ISBT (Nizamuddin Railway station), Nehru Place-the SiliconValley of Delhi, and last but not the least Delhi Airport. Initially the frequency of Green Bus on this route was good but with the coming of the Orange buses, this route hardly sees any Green bus. This shows that there is a manipulation of the system to fill the pockets of the influential people related to the Delhi State government. During the day time the Orange private bus has to break on Sarai Kale Khan for gas on a private pump, no matter the commuters are in hurry or not.

I traveled in this bus on 17 December 2011 and realised the pathetic situation. The bus stopped for gas on Sarai Kale Khan and above all there was heavy traffic jam ahead. Commuters were arguing with the poor conductor, who was help less. (Photo of the gas pump attached)

Commuters waiting for the bus to fill gas at private gas station

Height of the episode is that I tried to call the Delhi Police to intimate about the traffic jam at the Noida Toll circle on 100 phone number which is a SOS call to Delhi Police. What I heard from the other side is, “This number is temporarily out of service. I called 19 times but the response was same. (Photo of my mobile screen attached).

Mobile screen showing 19 calls to Delhi Police control room

Traffic Jam at Noida Toll road

Traffic jam on road towards Noida Toll road from gas station at Sarai Kale Khan

State of traffic form inside the bus