DTC teams for stranded buses

Delhi Transport Corporation’s (DTC) buses - primarily the low-floor ones - not only play a crucial role in causing traffic snarls but are also behind many fatal accidents.

Delhi Transport Corporation’s (DTC) buses - primarily the low-floor ones - not only play a crucial role in causing traffic snarls but are also behind many fatal accidents.

HT Image

An average of 300 DTC buses break down on city roads daily. Among them, a majority are the low-floor buses, said traffic police.

“Massive traffic jams on roads due to the breakdown of low-floor buses is a daily affair. As these have pneumatic and hydraulic control, our cranes cannot tow them, which results in traffic snarls for hours,” said Anil Shukla, additional commissioner of police (traffic). This month, over 3,500 DTC buses have broken down, pushing traffic out of gear.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Images/Popup/2013/3/14_03_13-metro6.jpg

About a week ago, Shukla wrote a letter to Rajeev Verma, chairman, DTC, requesting him to make arrangements so that a team comprising mechanics and recovery staff can rush to the spot of a breakdown from the closest DTC depot to repair the vehicle and remove it. Currently, recovery teams move from the parent depots of the respective buses.

After the communication, the DTC has decided to form quick response teams (QRTs) for the early repair or removal of damaged buses.

According to a DTC official, “The process to form QRTs has already started and they will be pressed into action within a few.”

Besides, officials said, the DTC will create a central control room exclusively to handle breakdown cases.

Last year, DTC buses were involved in 68 fatal accidents of which 10 were during boarding and deboarding by passengers.

According to traffic police, there is enough scope to reduce fatal accidents involving DTC buses through proper training of drivers and conductors.

Shukla told the DTC chairman that the traffic police’s safety cell will conduct training programmes for drive