Government launches mohalla bus trial on Munirka-Vasant Kunj route

Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot along with AAP MLA from RK Puram Parmila Tokas on Friday flagged off the trial run of mohalla buses on the Munirka-Vasant Kunj circular route.

The 10.8-km-long route starts from the Vasant Vihar depot and covers key locations such as Ambience Mall, DLF on Nelson Mandela Road, the Vasant Kunj Institutional Area, various sectors of Vasant Kunj, IIMC on Aruna Asaf Ali Road, IIT, Ber Sarai village, Spinal Injury Hospital and Fortis Hospital, among others.

The trial period will last for a week, allowing the government to evaluate the service’s impact and make any necessary adjustments.

Gahlot said, “The mohalla bus service has been designed to provide a comfortable and convenient public transport solution, particularly for neighbourhoods and areas that are underserved by existing transport network.”

He added that the initiative was part of a wider strategy to reduce the Capital’s reliance on private vehicles. The new service forms part of the Delhi Government’s wider plans to expand the mohalla bus network to areas that lack robust transport options.

The Pradhan Enclave Pusta to Majlis Park Metro Station route was operational for 88 days, which saw a ridership of over 17,000, including more than 12,000 women utilising pink tickets, which allow women to travel for free, officials said. The Earned per Kilometre (EPK) for that route stands at Rs 12.55/km, it added.

The mohalla buses are electric, equipped with six battery packs that allow them to travel over 200 km. These 9-m-long buses have 23 passenger seats and standing room for 13.

25 per cent of the seats on each bus are reserved for women. The government plans to introduce 2,180 mohalla buses by 2025. Currently, 100 buses are in service. Women can continue to avail free rides on these buses using pink passes.