Premium Buses to Hit Delhi-NCR Roads from August

Key Highlights:

• Air-conditioned buses by Uber and Aaveg start in Delhi-NCR from August.
• Aimed at reducing private vehicle use and pollution.
• Buses will have WiFi, GPS, CCTV, and reclining seats.
• Aaveg's fleet will be all-electric by December, with 41-seat buses.
• Uber Shuttle will offer pre-booked seats for 19 to 50 passengers.

According to officials, Delhiites will be able to book seats in air-conditioned buses operated by private companies beginning in August as the city government prepares to implement the ambitious project.

The premium bus service will be launched through the Delhi Motor Vehicles Licensing of Aggregator (Premium Buses) Scheme, which the Delhi government announced last year.

The initiative intends to reduce the use of private vehicles within cities while also lowering pollution. Under the initiative, two aggregators, Uber and Aaveg, have been granted licenses to operate buses in Delhi-NCR and are finalising the routes on which the services would begin, according to a transport department official.

A "premium bus" is defined as any full-service air-conditioned luxury bus with a seating capacity of at least nine passengers, pre-reserved reclining seats, and Wi-Fi, GPS, or CCTV. 

The concept requires that the 'onboarded' bus be no more than three years old if it runs on CNG, and buses entering service after January 1, 2025 must be electric.

It also requires candidates to have a corporation or branch office in the National Capital Region.

"These two aggregators have agreed to participate, and discussions with them about the exact details are nearing completion. We want to launch the buses before the end of this month, or no later than the first week of August," the official said.

An Aaveg executive, who requested anonymity, stated that the company had finalized some routes in West and Central Delhi. The bus fleet will include both electric and CNG vehicles.

In May, Uber stated that users will be able to pre-book seats on their desired route by selecting the 'Uber Shuttle' option on the Uber app. Each shuttle vehicle will be able to transport between 19 and 50 passengers and will be operated by local fleet partners using Uber technology.

According to sources in the transportation department, the two aggregators must submit the routes, driver information, and bus information. Under the initiative, licence holders will be able to set bus routes and charge fees that are dynamic and no less than the peak fare of the Delhi Transport Corporation's AC buses.

Also Read: Electric Bus Demand in India Set to Surge in FY25

CMV360 Says

This new bus service is a big step towards making Delhi’s streets less crowded and cleaner. With these comfortable, high-tech buses and a push for electric vehicles, people might find it easier to ditch their private cars. If this works well, it could be a great example for other cities to adopt similar ideas.