Delhi Transport Corporation to Formalise Plan to Improve Non-Fare Revenue

The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) is to finalize a detailed plan to boost its non-fare revenue generation, in a bid to counter the heavy financial losses that have chased the organization for decades. The move comes following a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report presenting DTC's total losses of more than ₹60,000 crore between 2015 and 2022.

 

Delhi Transport Minister Pankaj Singh presented a few ideas on the table, such as monetizing ad space at 300 bus queue shelters in high-profile locations in central and south Delhi. "We are making efforts to develop a sustainable model where these shelters don't only earn recurring income but also are properly maintained," Singh added. Besides, the department is considering commercial development of bus depots at high-value spots such as ITO, Vasant Vihar, and Connaught Place. These depots can be developed as multilevel centers to park electric buses, having shops and offices within them.

 

To combat increasing operational expenses, specifically electricity costs related to the shift to an electric fleet of buses, DTC will also be installing solar panels on its depots. Based on initial estimates, this would cut down electricity expenses by 50-60%.

 

The CAG report had faulted DTC for not availing opportunities for generating non-fare revenues like advertisement on unipoles and bus body wraps or leasing depot spaces for commercial usage. It suggested that experts be appointed to seek new areas for revenue generation.

 

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also said that three big interstate bus terminals (ISBTs) at Sarai Kale Khan, Anand Vihar, and Kashmere Gate will be redeveloped as part of larger attempts at modernizing the public transport infrastructure of Delhi.

 

With these steps, DTC hopes to develop a financially more sustainable model while enhancing the quality of service to commuters.

 

Source: Hindustan Times