DMRC to acquire feeder buses and utilise private O&M

The DMRC plans to introduce 530 air-conditioned, low-floor feeder buses by December 2018 to improve last-mile connectivity. The buses will be a mix of electric and compressed natural gas (CNG)-fuelled buses. The buses will operate at a frequency of five minutes within a radius of five km from their respective metro stations. Each bus will accommodate 34 seated passengers. The fare is planned to be collected through Delhi Metro smartcards. The DMRC has also announced plans to hire private players for the operations and maintenance of these buses. The initial term of the contract will be 10 years.