Delhi Metro to be linked with other modes of public transport by 2019

To ensure last-mile connectivity, it has been announced that the Delhi Metro will be linked to other public transport systems in all cities in the Delhi-NCR region within one year.

Working towards the goal of a more seamless transportation network, Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, Hardeep Singh Puri, asked the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to connect the metro with feeder bus services in the National Capital Region.

Puri also asked the DMRC to quicken the work on the Rapid Rail Transit System project and to set up a separate commercial entity who can complete these projects within one year.

In response, the DMRC management has begun the improvements by upgrading the feeder bus services. The operation of Delhi Metro was split into five zones, in which 52 routes were identified for air-conditioned buses to soon be operated on.

For the feeder services on these 52 routes, 427 buses are to be procured and the new buses – 198 of which are electric and 229 CNG-run – are planned to replace the old vehicles.

The new services are expected to begin by the end of 2018 and will operate with an automated ticketing system.

One of the main aims of the feeder bus initiative is to alleviate use of privatised vehicles in the region by offering a reliable and efficient public transport system as an alternative.