Swanky green buses can’t just attract more passengers

Delhi government’s efforts to promote public transport do not seem to have a positive impact.

Delhi government’s efforts to promote public transport do not seem to have a positive impact.

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Despite the government buying new swanky buses, the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) recorded its lowest ridership in 2008-2009 since converted its fleet to CNG.

According to the fresh statistics released by the Delhi government in its Delhi Statistical Handbook 2009, DTC buses carried 22.62 lakh passengers in 2008-2009, almost 1.40 lakh less than the previous year.

Records show that the DTC’s fleet was the strongest ever with 3809 buses by March 2009.

But it could run only three out of every four buses every day because of various constraints, its worst performance since 2002.

Income rises

Interestingly, Delhi’s per capita income rose to Rs 78,690 in the financial year 2007-08 as against the national figure of Rs 33,283. It saw an increase of Rs 8,452 over the year 2006-07 at current prices.

Delhi now stands at third rank in the country in terms of average person’s income behind Chandigarh (Rs 110,676) and Goa (105,582).

The number of vehicles registered a sharp growth in 2008-2009 with almost four lakh new vehicles getting registered in just one year.

By March 31, 2009, number of vehicles in Delhi crossed the six-million figure to reach 60,11,731. In 2007-2008, 56,27,384 vehicles were registered.

GDP

The gross state domestic product at current prices for 2007-08 was estimated at Rs 1,43,912 crore against Rs 1,25,282 in 2006-07.