Soon, a policy to strengthen Metro feeder service

The Delhi government may soon come up with a scheme to strengthen Metro feeder service in the Capital. HT reports.

The Delhi government may soon come up with a scheme to strengthen Metro feeder service in the Capital.

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The Delhi transport minister Arvinder Singh said his department would soon come up with a proposal to have a better feeder bus system for the Metro commuters.

With more than 16 lakh people travelling by the Metro everyday, Delhi Metro has become one of the most reliable public transport systems. However, lack of transport facilities for Metro commuters to travel to residential colonies and commercial hubs from Metro stations continues to be a cause of concern for both the Metro authorities as well as the Delhi government.

According to an estimate, Delhi Metro would require 700-800 feeder buses by the end of 2011 to cater to an expected Metro ridership of 25 lakh a day.

Delhi Metro on the other hand has less than 100 feeder buses available at only few of its stations. According to Singh, Delhi Metro chief E Sreedharan had asked the government to subsidise Metro feeder bus system.

“Though subsidising Metro feeders is not viable for the government, we are exploring other avenues to strengthen feeder bus service and make it a profitable venture,” Singh said.

One option, said a transport department official, is to bring all Metro feeder routes under one cluster and ask a private bus operator to run its buses. While the revenue would be pocketed by the Metro, the operator would be paid for each kilometre travelled.

The transport department would ensure no other private or a DTC bus or mini bus or the Grameen Sewa mini bus has its route clashing with the Metro feeder route. Since the government has already made its mind to phase out RTVs, Singh said another possible option is to rehabilitate them by giving them permits to run Metro feeder buses.

“I have asked the officials to come up with a proposal within 10 days,” Singh added.