The Delhi government has released an official statement which will allow app-based premium bus services to operate in the capital. The notification states that the scheme will come into effect from June 1 enabling people to book their seats in buses through their smartphone, similar to the app-based taxi services like Ola and Uber. The scheme was announced last month, aiming to support Delhi’s odd-even scheme in reducing pollution in the city and to encourage car users to use public transport. As per the new policy, bus aggregators will determine the routes on which Premium buses will ply from time to time and specify such routes along with the time schedule of each trip on its web-based application. Provisions and Restrictions According to the notification, only air-conditioned buses will ply under the scheme. And one bus aggregator will have to run at least 50 vehicles to get a licence from Delhi Government's Transport department. However, it also stated that no bus shall be attached to more than three bus aggregators. - The notification has not set any restrictions on fares or routes of the services, however, it does state that the government will set the upper limit of fares and take steps to check predatory pricing. - The service will only allow electronic payments. - The notification also requires the aggregator to list a passenger manifest, the route of the trip and the details of the bus driver. The final list will be frozen five minutes before the bus departs, as a…
