CNG to e-bus switch may put jobs of 8,600 DTC drivers at risk

Subsequently, nearly 8,600 drivers — regular and contractual — are projected to become surplus by the end of 2025, a government document also read.

A senior government official, however, said: “Yes, the department is now procuring buses on wet lease model now… But, at the same time, we are ensuring that no drivers are left unemployed…”

The official said that the DTC has already initiated various measures to ensure optimum utilisation and redeployment of its driver workforce, both on diverted capacity and through in-house functional adjustment, including deputation to other departments, like the NDMC and the DJB, on the condition of reimbursement of their salaries — with similar requisitions sent to MCD and the Health department.

Besides, the department is also promoting regular eligible drivers through one-time relaxation in recruitment rules for filling up all vacant sanctioned posts of Assistant Traffic Inspectors (ATIs), in lieu of the regular direct recruitment/promotion quota, the official also said.

“Under this, drivers will enjoy more benefits and will be on almost the same payroll as that of conductors. Drivers will also get the chance of doing office work and bus-scheduling jobs,” said the official. Further, keeping in mind the contractual drivers, the Transport department is also working on a policy to deploy them under the concessionaires engaged by the DTC and the DIMTS – Delhi Integrated Multi Modal Transit System- under the wet model, the official added. “The concessionaires also deploys drivers on a contract basis. So, under this policy, we are ensuring that they hire these drivers, and the payment to them will be made through DTC….”

The DTC has a total of 4,800 buses, including 660 small electric buses, 1,800 large electric buses, and 1,800 CNG buses.