NEW DELHI

New Delhi, In an attempt to discourage use of personal vehicles, the Delhi Transport Corporation has launched a park and ride bus service in the New Delhi area.

The service has been launched in association with the National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC), Central Public Works Department (CPWD) and New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC). Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and Union minister for urban development S. Jaipal Reddy today flagged off the air-conditioned bus service.

The service will start from C-Hexagon at the India Gate and cover various Union government offices located on either side of Rajpath to ease out parking problem in these office complexes and reduce inconvenience to visiting public. Presently, the service, which will be available between 8.30 am and 6 pm, will have two routes— P-1 and P-2. Both the routes will originate and terminate at C-Hexagon. The frequency of the buses on the routes will be 15 minutes. Route P-1 will cover Jamnagar Hosue, Vigyan Bhawan, Nirman Bhawan, Vayu Bhawan, Rail Bhawan, Red Cross, Transport Bhawan and North Block. Route P-2 will cover Andhra Bhawan, IGNCA, Shastri Bhawan, Krishi Bhawan, Udyog Bhawan, G-Block K. Kamraj Bhawan, Sena Bhawan and South Block.

The buses will also cover two Metro stations,Central Secretariat and Patel Chowk. People can park their vehicles in the parking lot of C-Hexagon and take a bus from there to any of the government office buildings located at Rajpath. This will also benefit those government officers who are required to visit other ministry offices for meetings.

Dikshit said the service would be another step in bringing a positive change in public transport system. She expressed confidence that the service would be useful and the DTC would not hesitate in increasing number of buses under the service as per the response, satisfaction and utility of the passengers.