The Kejriwal government took another big step on Tuesday towards strengthening the last-mile connectivity from various Metro stations in Delhi and reducing air pollution. For this, the government has started the trial of Mohalla buses on two more new routes. These Mohalla buses are being run on trial for seven days from Kailash Colony Metro Station to PNB Geetanjali and Lok Kalyan Marg Metro Station to Vasant Vihar.
These Mohalla buses were flagged off by Cabinet Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj, representing Greater Kailash Assembly constituency, Malviya Nagar MLA Somnath Bharti and RK Puram MLA Parmila Tokas in their respective assembly constituencies. They thanked Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for providing the service.
By operating Mohalla buses on these routes, lakhs of commuters will be able to get the benefit of last-mile connectivity and commuters will be able to adopt public transport instead of using their private vehicles. Also, all these are electric buses, so they will not cause air pollution.
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On the start of the trial run of Mohalla buses on two new routes, Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot said that through Mohalla buses, we are connecting all the important places at the local level with public transport, so that first and last mile connectivity can be ensured. We have also included major educational institutions like Motilal Nehru College, Jesus and Mary College, Maitreyi College, Sri Venkateswara College, LSR College, Central School and Vocational College as stops in the trial of Mohalla buses on two new routes, so that the transport needs of the residents living nearby as well as youth and students can be met. “We are providing efficient and convenient travel options to Delhiites by improving last-mile connectivity, so that more and more Delhiites can adopt public transport instead of private vehicles,” said the Transport Minister.
Talking to the media persons after flagging off the Mohalla bus in his constituency, senior AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj said for a very long time, there was a demand by the people from posh colonies such as Greater Kailash Part-1, Malviya Nagar to start a small-bus service, like the Mohalla Bus Service, for them. The same is being started now. This bus service will start from Kailash Colony Metro Station and go to Lady Shri Ram College for Women; Greater Kailash-1 N Block and M Block Market, Greater Kailash-1 E Block, then to Greater Kailash-2 Metro Station and from there to Chirag Delhi to College of Vocational Studies, Sheikh Sarai; Press Enclave and then to Geetanjali Bus Depot in Malviya Nagar.
“It covers many metro stations, Saket Mall, three big markets as well as big hospitals such as PSRI and Max. So, I think this is a good bus service and people were eagerly waiting for it. I thank our Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and our Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot for this,” he said.
Saurabh Bharadwaj said every big town planner says that you have connected the whole of Delhi with the metro but the last-mile connectivity (is important as this) is how a person goes from the metro station to his home. Because of that he takes his car and goes to his workplace by car. “If you provide last mile connectivity from the metro station to the home through this Mohalla bus service, then you can also address pollution inside Delhi, you can also address congestion. These are electric buses, there is zero pollution. So, this is a very good step,” he said.
In July this year, the Kejriwal government started running Mohalla buses on the Pradhan Enclave to Majlis Park Metro Station and Akshardham Metro Station to Mayur Vihar Phase-III Paper Market route.
These 9-metre long Mohalla buses have 23 passenger seats and a standing capacity of 13 passengers. With 45 minutes of charging, It travels more than 200 km.
Mohalla buses are of green colour for easy identification. As many as 25% seats (6 seats) in Mohalla buses are pink in colour, which are reserved exclusively for women passengers.
The fare in Mohalla buses will be the same as that of the Delhi government’s AC buses. The fare will be Rs 10, 15, 20 and 25. Women can avail free travel in these buses through pink pass.
The Mohalla Bus Scheme aims to provide feeder bus services to Delhiites around their homes through 9-metre-long electric buses. The Kejriwal government aims to ply 2,180 Mohalla buses by 2025. These buses will run on congested roads with limited width in areas where 12-metre buses face challenge in manoeuvring.
