Delhi ‘s government has introduced a trial run of a “Mohalla Buses” Service aimed at improving last-mile connectivity. The initiative aims to improve mobility in areas with narrow roads and high traffic.
Key Details of the Initiative of Mohalla Buses:
1. Routes: The trial run covers 2 routes:
- Akshardham to Mayur Vihar Phase-3
- Majlis Park to Pradhan Enclave in Burari
2. Bus Fleet: The government is currently operating 100 buses acquired from the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for this purpose. A total of 2,080 buses will be part of this scheme, ensuring widespread coverage.
3. Feedback and Expansion: The transport department will gather feedback during the trial run to refine the service. The goal is to expand the mohalla bus project based on user’s response. Proposed routes were carefully studied by the Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS) and Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC).
4. Data-Driven Approach: The government is collaborating with organizations working with big data, including IIT, to analyze commuting patterns using mobile data and origin-destination points.
5. Unserved Areas: These trial routes cover areas that have never seen public buses before, addressing gaps and enhancing connectivity for residents. Fares are set to be affordable to encourage widespread use among local residents.
6. Future Plans: The Mohalla Buses will not have longer routes like the existing 12-meter buses. Further, the government plans to introduce 9-meter-long electric buses to improve first-mile and last-mile connectivity. Deploying these shorter buses, they intend to enhance accessibility within congested areas. Delhi plans to introduce a total of 2,180 such buses by 2025, with 80% of them being electric.
7. Last-Mile Connectivity: The mohalla buses will complement existing metro services, connecting important localities with metro stations.
8. Shorter Routes: Unlike longer buses, these mohalla buses will operate on shorter routes, focusing on local connectivity. Mohalla Buses are smaller than the standard city buses, designed to access residential areas with narrow streets.
The Delhi government’s trial run of the “Mohalla Buses” addresses a promising step towards upgrading the last-mile connectivity and improving public transportation in the city and we anticipate its fruitful execution! Kailash Gahlot, the Transport Minister, said that the feedback from people who use the Mohalla Bus will help make it better. Dedicated to the well-being of its citizens, the Delhi government has committed to improving public transportation.