DTC holds trial for odd-even plan

The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) held a trial run of 730 private buses on Sunday on different routes as part of preparations for the Jan 1-15 odd-even number car curbs aimed at cleaning the city’s air.

During the trial run, the drivers of the bus were private but the conductors were that of the DTC. So far, owners of nearly 2,500 private chartered and school buses have approached the DTC for joining the campaign and running their vehicles during the 15-day trial.

“The trial run of private buses today was the last one before Jan 1,” said DTC spokesperson R S Minhas.

The buses which took part in the trial run were given small paper banners with their route numbers printed on them. The banners were pasted on the left windscreen and the rear wind screen for commuters’ information, said an official.

During the trial run, the drivers were familiarised with the route of the bus they would run their vehicles and the bus stops on the route, he said.

“The drivers were also briefed about court guidelines related to keeping doors closed in moving vehicles and not opening doors for passengers at any spot other than the designated bus stops,” said an official.

Minhas said the Delhi government would pay the private buses joining the campaign at the rate of Rs 41 per kilometre for normal buses.

“There are different rates under the kilometre scheme for different variety of buses,” he said. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal while unveiling the blueprint for the 15-day odd-even number plan to restricting cars on roads, said the government was trying to add 5,000 additional buses to the existing over 5,000 public transport buses, including DTC and cluster buses.
DH News Service