DTC Plans 4 AM Bus Services Across All Routes Including Noida to Boost Safety

The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) is planning to introduce early-morning bus services starting at 4 AM across all its routes, including services connecting to Noida, to improve travel options for long-distance commuters. The initiative follows a recent review meeting where Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu directed officials to explore the feasibility of the early-morning expansion.

Currently, DTC buses begin exiting their home depots at 4 AM, but early-morning services only run on a select few routes, such as the route from Bhajanpura to Noida. On this specific route, buses arrive at stops at 4:15 AM and 4:55 AM. The new directive aims to expand this early service across the city's public transit fleet, which operates on nearly 900 routes.

According to officials, the expansion is designed to assist working professionals and students who travel long distances. The early services will focus on routes connecting schools, offices, colleges, and industrial areas to help commuters reach their destinations on time.

In addition to the scheduling changes, the review meeting addressed female commuter safety. Lieutenant Governor Sandhu directed the deployment of women police personnel inside all DTC ladies special buses operating on identified routes.

The DTC has already conducted a preliminary exercise to identify vulnerable routes with high female ridership. The Delhi Police have been requested to provide the necessary female workforce to secure these ladies special buses, particularly during morning and evening hours.

To support the police personnel, women Home Guard Marshals will also be deployed on these buses. The Lieutenant Governor issued strict instructions to authorities, stating that the safety of women should not be compromised. The deployment aims to prevent unruly elements from boarding ladies-only buses and to stop the harassment of women during boarding and de-boarding.