DTC’s airport bus service to be scrapped

If you are one of those who prefer taking public transport — or Delhi Transport Corporation’s (DTC) air-conditioned buses, to be precise — to the airport, be careful.

If you are one of those who prefer taking public transport — or Delhi Transport Corporation’s (DTC) air-conditioned buses, to be precise — to the airport, be careful.

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From Sunday, August 1, DTC’s IGI bus service will not be allowed to go up to Terminal 3 (T3).

Senior DTC officials said, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), the agency rebuilding and operating the airport, has refused entry to DTC’s airport special buses up to T3, citing security reasons.

“While private taxis are allowed to go up to the terminal, DTC buses will not be allowed to go up to T3,” a senior DTC official said.

“We are allowed to go up to terminal 2 but there are no passengers for T2 now, as most of the international flights have shifted to T3. And we are not being given access to T3,” the official added.

DTC runs AC buses on IGI special service from 15 different parts of the Capital. DTC officials said these buses make 52 trips to the international airport and ferry more than 15,000 passengers every day for a flat fare of Rs 50.

“It is not just the rich who fly. A lot of people from the not-so-rich families and those working in other countries also come here. It is an economical and convenient service. DIAL’s decision will inconvenience passengers,” said Naresh Kumar, STC chairman and managing director.

DIAL officials, however, said it would be incorrect to say that they are refusing entry to the buses to Terminal 3.

“We are creating a spacious and well-organised public transport centre near T3 as the terminating point for various public transports, such as buses and autos; passengers will get a convenient, regular and free-of-cost shuttle coach service,” a Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) official said.

“This arrangement will not only contribute to a more effective security environment but will also ensure decongestion and smooth flow of traffic into and out of the terminal,” he said.