Private buses, which are being temporarily roped in to augment public transport, are likely to run in two shifts during the odd-even policy, which will be in force from November 4 to 15. The associations informed the Delhi government Thursday that they will be unable to lease their vehicles for the entire day during the 12-day period. During a meeting chaired by Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot, officials said that so far, around 180 private bus operators have submitted applications offering their services during odd-even. The Delhi Cabinet has cleared a proposal to hire 2,000 private buses. “The associations informed the government that they will be able to extend their services between 8.30 am-12.30 pm and 3.30 pm-8.30 pm. The window in between is required to ferry school students. Buses can be offered through the day only if schools remain closed during odd-even, representatives of bus operators have told the government,” said a senior official. The lukewarm response from operators to the government’s proposal prompted consecutive meetings on Wednesday and Thursday. The issue is a matter of concern for the authorities as the city has around 5,589 buses as against the requirement of 11,000. Meanwhile, the government also expects a jump in the average daily bus ridership, which stands at around 42 lakh currently, due to the implementation of the free rides scheme for women in DTC and cluster buses. As per an official, the government has been assured that more operators will be roped in by November 2, so that the requirement of 2,000 buses can be met. “The umbrella associations will try and persuade operators at the local level,” said the official. Bus owners also sought the government’s assistance in dealing with “harassment in the name of implementing the amended Motor Vehicles Act”, sources said. The government’s stand on the issue could not be immediately ascertained. The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) will provide conductors in these buses, and will keep the revenue generated from them. The driver will be provided by the bus owner, who will also be in charge of all other responsibilities, including maintenance. During odd-even, which was implemented twice in Delhi in 2016, one’s licence plate, or date in the calendar, determines whether or not they can drive on roads. Two-wheelers and vehicles driven by a lone woman, or the ones in which she has female co-passengers or children below 12 years of age, will not have to follow the restrictions. Private CNG cars have been brought under the scheme’s ambit this time.
