To cut ‘dead miles’,DTC reworks refuel schedule of fleet

To check the losses,the DTC has started rationalisation of operations,under which buses will not be driven back to their own depots,but will go to the terminal closest to the last stop for refuelling and change of duty.

“From Tuesday,we started a new practice under which the 200 buses parked at Millennium Depot-II no longer have to drive back to the depot to fill CNG or to facilitate change of duty. The buses used to come back to the depot during lunch time. No passengers could use the bus services during this period. In order to ensure more efficient services,around 72 of the buses which were originally supposed to drive back to the depot will head for Anand Vihar terminal,50 will go to Kashmere Gate terminal and only 68 will go back to the depot as their last stop is located nearby,’’ said DTC chairman-cum-managing director Vijay Kumar Dev.

The new plan has been introduced only at the Millennium Depot-II,on a pilot basis. The DTC said the move will also help change the “work culture”.

“The same practice will be implemented in all the 46 depots under us in the coming months. Through this,we hope to rationalise our operations and cut down our losses besides ensuring that bus services are made available to passengers during lunch time also,’’ said Dev.

According to DTC,after implementation of the pilot project in Millennium Depot-II,the dead mileage will be reduced from 5,390 kms per day to 658 kms per day.

“The average cost of CNG used per km is Rs 14. As per our calculations,DTC was losing Rs 3 crore per annum per depot as the bus had to be driven back to their depots. After the new practice,we will be able to save Rs 2.2 crore per annum. Once this is extended to all our 46 depots,we will save on Rs 100 crore a year at least,’’ said Dev.

“A lot of time is lost at the depots and at some instances the designated driver and conductor do not even report for duty with others working as proxy drivers and conductors in their place. But salaries of the absentee will now be cut,’’ said a DTC official.