In order to overcome the shortage of Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses, Delhi Government Transport department would now rope in private bus operators for running app based air-conditioned buses.
According to a Government official, the Transport Department is pulling all-stops to increase the number of buses plying on Delhi roads by bringing private operators on board and is mulling on bringing in a policy for the same.
These operators will assigned for running air-conditioned buses on the pattern of existing cluster scheme, informed the official. Under the cluster scheme, Delhi Integrated Multi Modal System (DIMTS) operates 1,650 standard floor buses through private entities.
"A policy for the purpose is being discussed currently and several rounds of meetings have been held. The policy is expected to be finalised in the near future," said the official.
The policy will likely offer stage carriage permits to private operators after which the buses run by them will pick and drop passengers at stops of a designated route, the official said.
"The department will fix clusters, routes and timing while private partners will take care of buses and staff, the policy envisages," he said.
The policy is also likely to allow all size air conditioned buses with their fares being higher than existing ticket prices of DTC and Cluster buses, he added.