IIT-Delhi to study Capital’s bus route rationalisation plan

The Delhi Government has roped in the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi, to conduct a comprehensive study of its bus route rationalisation programme, aimed at improving the efficiency, accessibility and service quality of the Capital’s public transport system.

According to Transport Department officials, the 12-month study will be held from March 2026 to February 2027 and will be carried out in collaboration with leading partners. The exercise comes as the government looks to optimise the existing fleet of Delhi Transport Corporation buses while expanding coverage across the city.

The rationalisation programme was initiated last year in view of the phased retirement of 15-year-old low-floor CNG buses, a move mandated under statutory norms. The study is expected to assess route efficiency, commuter demand and service gaps, and recommend measures to reduce travel time and improve last-mile connectivity.

Earlier this year, the government rolled out route rationalisation in the West Region, following a similar exercise in East Delhi. The initiative, undertaken jointly with the DTC, focused on minimising passenger wait time and ensuring better reliability without reducing service availability.

Officials maintained that no 12-metre bus routes were discontinued. Instead, services were reorganised based on ridership patterns and corridor importance.

Transport Minister Pankaj Singh had said the next phase of rationalisation would be taken up in the North Zone. The plan also includes deploying electric “Devi” buses alongside existing fleets and increasing frequency during peak hours under a unified timetable.

With the IIT-led study now underway, the government aims to further streamline Delhi’s bus network and make public transport more efficient and commuter-friendly.