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DTC says can't offer buses to schools, security agencies for deployments

According to authorities, the DTC sends almost 580 buses to government and private schools each day, including 497 non-AC and 92 AC low-floor buses. 

DTC says can't offer buses to schools security for deployments gcw
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New Delhi, First Published Sep 7, 2021, 12:00 PM IST

With no additions to its dwindling fleet in the last decade, public transportation provider DTC has indicated an inability to offer buses to schools and security agencies for regular deployments, asking them to look into alternatives. The Delhi Transport Corporation, which operates nearly 3,700 low-floor buses, has notified schools and other agencies such as the police of its decision.

According to reports, DTC managing Director Vijay Bidhuri stated that they had instructed the schools to seek alternate arrangements. Although they are dedicated to providing buses for law enforcement operations, they have also advised security services to consider contracting private buses for routine deployments. He stated that the goal is to assist commuters, which is hampered by commitments to provide buses for rent to schools and government organisations. He asked them to look into alternative possibilities rather than relying on DTC buses.

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According to authorities, the DTC sends almost 580 buses to government and private schools each day, including 497 non-AC and 92 AC low-floor buses. They further claimed that the Delhi Police and paramilitary forces employ around 300 buses to transport their troops throughout the city.

Since 2015, the financially troubled DTC has been losing over Rs 1,000 crore per year and has been unable to add even one bus to its existing fleet, the transport department informed the Delhi Assembly earlier this year. The DTC bought the whole ageing fleet of 3,760 low-floor buses in 2008. According to authorities, nearly 3,000 of DTC's 3760 bus fleet are more than a decade old.

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Because old buses are more likely to be under maintenance than on the road, there are fewer of them on the road. According to a senior DTC officer, it is impossible to fulfil all scheduled routes while simultaneously satisfying employment requests in such a circumstance.

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