DTC: Loss Rs.100 per km!

Delhi Transport Corporation - the Capital's sole public transport operator - is bleeding. It suffers a loss of Rs100 for each kilometre it travels. And experts say, another fare hike will not help. The last one - in 2009 - had resulted in a 70% increase in fare.

The swanky, air-conditioned low-floor buses zipping across the city might have made traveling by public transport more comfortable for Delhiites, but they have failed to turn around DTC's fortunes.

In a review of the performance of 36 State Road Transport Undertakings (SRTU) during April 2009-March 2010 carried out by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, DTC has come out as the highest loss maker, incurring a loss of Rs2,110 crore. Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking ranks second with losses to the tune of Rs477.95 crore followed by the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation at Rs424.58 crore.

The top three profit makers in the list are Maharashtra Road Transport Corporation which earned a profit of Rs135 crore, the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (Rs65.13 crore) and Karnataka SRTC (Rs48.85 crore). The total losses incurred by the 36 SRTUs put together increased by 47% last year from Rs3,209 crore in 2008-09 to Rs4,716 crore in 2009-10.

In 2009-2010, the loss incurred by DTC per day per bus was Rs15,051 - which was equal to the combined losses of road transport corporations of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat , Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka. This despite DTC running not even half as many buses as these states and increasing its fare by 70% in November 2009.

DTC officials say that a bulk of its expenditure, about 49%, is on account of the interest the cash-strapped DTC has to pay the government annually on the loan it takes to run the public transport fleet. "DTC has been getting loan from the Delhi government since 1996 to support its day-to-day expenses. In 2009-10, the interest DTC paid was nearly Rs1,435," said an official.

Transport experts say poor debt management coupled with high establishment cost and mismanagement has bled the public transport operator. "DTC's staff-to-bus ratio is one of the highest in the country. Also, there is no scientific route planning done which adds to the loss," said PK Sarkar, Department of Transport Planning, School of Planning & Architecture.

As per the report, DTC's staff-to-bus ratio is also one of the highest amongst the 36 SRTUs. On an average there are seven staffers deployed for each DTC bus as against the ideal figure of five. This is one of the main reason behind DTC's high establishment cost.

Overall, the report has found that public transport systems in 36 major cities, despite getting staggering sums for modernization, have failed to make profits due to high establishment cost, poor management and wastage. "The SRTUs have to become self sustaining to give a boost to the country's public transport system. Take Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation; with innovative ideas and proper management, they are running an efficient bus transport network. The model can be replicated elsewhere too," said Sarkar.

"In order to improve the efficiency and performance of public sector bus mode transport system, there is a need to improve vehicle technology, change of fleet composition in favour of new and more fuel efficient buses and strengthening of inspection and maintenance practices," the report recommends.

Courtesy: http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/Print/683695.aspx
© Copyright 2010 Hindustan Times

READ ALSO:

http://myroadiary.blogspot.com/2011/04/fake-licences-among-dtc-drivers.html

http://myroadiary.blogspot.com/2011/04/dtc-faults-ashok-leyland-buses.html

http://myroadiary.blogspot.com/2011/04/dtc-ride-1.html

http://myroadiary.blogspot.com/2011/04/dtc-ride-2.html

http://myroadiary.blogspot.com/2011/04/dtc-ride-3.html

DTC Bus Ride-3

Last week, it was.

I got into 463 EX around noon (DL1P B6687) for a short journey from Mehrauli to Saket Metro.

Surprisingly,both conductor and were in full uniform and elderly too.

At Qutub stop, a teenager got in with a HDPE gunny bag and sat in the last row.

He did not bother to purchase a ticket, despite constant shouts from conductor to "take one".

The bus was almost empty and hence this teenager's entry and non-purchase of ticket certainly attracted conductor's attention and ire.

Turning towards him, he demanded to know whether the teenager has a ticket.

He received no response.

By then, we were at Ladoo Sarai Crossing stop.

A few more students entered and declared that they are "pass holders".

Now the conductor walked up to the teenager and wanted to know his status: ticket or ticketless.

Teenager again kept mum.

The conductor shook him and bluntly told him: "Look at him. Agar aap ticket nahi leingi tho, woh saab mujhe naukri de nikal wa deya ga!"

Interestingly, the guy whom he pointed out to the teenager was none other than yours sincerely!

Sensing trouble, the teenager bought a ticket - much to the amusement of the conductor and the kids returning home from school.

As I got up to get down at Saket metro, the teenager caught my hand to ask: "Aap sach much inspector hai kya?"

Everyone in the bus laughed. I too joined them.

Fake licences among DTC drivers!

After criticism from the traffic police for the increasing number of accidents by the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses, the corporation is facing heat from within its ranks. Instances of licences that didn't sustain verification have now prompted the DTC to set up an internal vigilance inquiry into licences submitted by over 2,000 drivers. While the inquiry report is still awaited, sources said that initial findings have shown that some of the licences submitted were fakes.

Top sources in the transport department said that the matter came to light some months ago during a routine verification. The official said, "The details submitted (by one of the drivers) showed that the licence had been issued from the state licensing authority in Manipur.

But the man had no knowledge of the state. So the issuing authority was contacted for verification, and it was found that no such licence had been issued to the driver." After this incident, several other "suspicious" licences were sent for verification. Sources in the DTC confirmed that one such licence issued from Bulandshahr has already been found to be false. The official added, "The licences which are being verified were issued not only from Manipur and Nagaland but also from the neighbouring states of Haryana, UP and Rajasthan."

Interestingly, a large number of the cases that have come under cloud are of drivers who were recruited through the Delhi State Subordinate Services Board (DSSSB). The recruitment exam for the DSSSB had taken place in 2009 but results were only announced late last year. DTC officials claimed, however, that only a part of the licences being verified were of drivers recruited through the DSSSB. A government official added, "The board doesn't verify the licences from the issuing authority but only tests the skills of the applicant." Sources, however, say that this is the first time that such a large-scale verification of licences has been carried out, especially of those coming in through the board. "It's a serious matter, and we are hoping to weed out the culprits soon," added the official.

Not surprisingly, officially, the department says the verification is a "routine" drive. The official said, "Licences of almost 2,000 drivers are being verified on a routine basis." Sources though claim that the internal vigilance report will be coming in shortly, and that action was expected to be taken as soon as the findings were made available. Meanwhile, the inquiry has put a hiatus on current recruitment in the DTC, admitted officials.

Courtesy: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Licence-scam-in-DTC-Vigilance-probe-ordered/articleshow/7964820.cms??prtpage=1

DTC faults Ashok Leyland buses

An alarmed Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) has told Delhi high court that almost the entire fleet of Ashok Leyland buses needs to undergo fresh checks since over 100 of them have failed a crucial fire safety test.

Filing an affidavit in this regard before the high court, the DTC through its counsel Sumeet Pushkarna has now sought the court's nod to perform checks on 1093 Ashok Leyland buses that were slated to join the DTC's low-floor fleet of public transport in the capital. A division bench headed by Justice A K Sikri has sought a response on the issue from the state government and the private manufacturer by April 21.

The affidavit tells HC a "faulty wiring" lies at the core of the failure of the buses in fire safety checks and justifies withholding payment of balance amount to the manufacturers on this ground. Saying that public safety is of paramount concern, the DTC conveyed its apprehensions about the new Ashok Leyland fleet after it came to know 116 buses had failed the test. "Public safety and proper use of public revenue is more important. Considering the complexity of the matter, criminal investigation and public revenue the payments have been kept on hold," the affidavit concludes, urging HC to intervene in the matter.

Just before the Commonwealth Games last year, the issue of safety of Ashok Leyland buses had come to the fore in the backdrop of DTC's plan to induct more than 1000 such buses to make up for phasing out of Blueline buses. Things worsened with the CBI swooping down on Leyland officials accused of bribing experts of Central Institute of Road Transport.

CBI slapped the accused with charges of cheating, forgery and criminal conspiracy, alleging some of the experts were bribed in order to get a green signal on the worthiness of material used in the buses. In its FIR the CBI named three experts from CIRT and two Leyland officials who allegedly connived to hide the fact that some of the samples had failed fire safety tests.

Adds Harish V Nair, Hindustan Times:

Safety concerns were first raised by senior lawyer Kailash Vasdev who was assisting the court in Blueline phase-out matter as amicus curiae. This was when DTC was set to procure 1,300 Ashok Leyland buses before the CWG.

Pointing out that the CBI was investigating the role of three technical experts from CIRT and two Leyland officials, it was contended that samples of the plywood had failed the fire safety tests and were found to be highly inflammable.


The affidavit filed in court by DTC counsel Sumeet Pushkarna said: "Considering the complexity of the matter involving contractual obligations, criminal investigation and public safety and public revenue, payment have been kept on hold. Public safety and proper use of public revenue is more important."

Leyland told the court it was using the highest quality of material and assured that it itself will take corrective steps in the 116 buses which failed the fire test. A bench headed by justice AK Sikri directed all parties to sit together, discuss the issue and come back to court. The bench said it will give directions on safety aspect on April 21, the next date of hearing.

Courtesy: Times of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Low-floor-buses-need-recheck-DTC-to-HC/articleshow/7964644.cms
Courtesy: http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/Print/684525.aspx

DTC Ride-2

It is easy to make sweeping statements. Generalisation from few live experience is the common method. Empirical studies have to be done consistently over a period of time to arrive at any conclusion.

So, why not I build up a proper database or dossier on DTC buses in which I commute? Here's the first dispatch.

Travel date:April 7, 2011
Route No: 427
Destination: From Mehrauli Terminal to Nizamuddin Railway Station
Bus Registration No. DL1P C7218
Time of Travel: 0915 hours
Airconditoned Bus temperature inside: 21 degree celsius
Passage: From Mehrauli Terminal to Saket Metro
Fare: Rs.10

Well, both driver and conductor were in late 50s.

Driver was uniformed. Not the conductor.

Pleasantly surprised to witness the conductor walking down the aisle to issue tickets. By the way, the bus was packed at Mehrauli terminal itself because it was peak hour.

The coolness inside bus was perfect.

Once the bus moved out of terminal, conductor resumed his Buddha-like posture and seldom moved out of his seat!

In terms of cleanliness, it was neat and clean inside. Exterior was passable.

Questions:

Why the conductor was not wearing uniform? Is not mandatory?

Does DTC authorities conduct periodic checks to ensure the mandatory uniform rule is strictly followed??

Has any disciplinary action routine is in place?

If yes, how many have been challened so far?

DTC Ride-1

I was one of the happiest citizens of Delhi when the Indian capital commenced the brand new red-coloured Airconditioned city bus service coinciding with the Commonwealth Games 2010.

However, of late the service levels have fallen.

This in turn prompted me to write to the authorities (see below) early this week.

Attn: Mr Naresh Kumar, Chairman & Managing Director, DTC

Dear Mr Kumar,

I wish to bring to your notice two issues pertaining to airconditioned (red) buses in the city route

1. As we all know, summer has set in. DTC drivers in the saddle of airconditoned buses randomly switch off and switch on airconditon buses during the day. When confronted, they claim that it is too much of cold for them. In the process passengers suffer for no fault of theirs. Another related issue is the practice of keeping the aisle window next to the driver's seat open even if the aircondition is switched on. The very purpose of providing cool environment is defeated. None of the drivers listen to conductors. Why the public should pay a premium rate and suffer.

Perhaps it is time, DTC puts in a mechanism to check/monitor misuse of a/c facility in your fleet.

2. Having lived in Chennai and Bombay for several years and travelled in city bus servcies (Pallavan/Chennai and BEST/Bombay), I failed to understand the reluctance or refusal of conductors to walk up the aisle for distribution of tickets in DTC buses. This in the process puts a strain on passengers to crowd around conductors who unfortuantely are seated near the rear door. It will be good for conductors to walk a bit from the health angle.

3. Cleanliness of fleet is pathetic. Please travel once in a while unannounced and see for yourself. Dirty from inside and dirty from outside.


4. The misuse of DTC terminus space by denotified Blue LIne fleet. The less said the better. Visit Mehrauli Bus Terminal (where I live and commute from). Even today, many denotified Blue Line buses occupy premium space iinside DTC terminus. The road within DTC terminus is perpetually in bad condition. Needless to say that such bad roads within the terminus cause severe damage to DTC vehicles.

Mr Kumar, the fleet is public property and the billboard inside hammers this point with heavy emphasis.

I request you to look into this and revert.

Expiry 7 March 2016

Yes, my Driving Licence arrived by Speed Post Wednesday evening.

It was a renewal exercise.

Last time, I got my licence renewed 2006.

Once you are past 40 plus, the renewal takes place every five years.

It cost me two hundred fifty rupees to Delhi government transport department and Rs.50 for mandatory medical report (to check colour blindness), plus Rs.50 for Speed Post delivery.

By the by, when was the last time, I sat behind steering?

Can't recollect because I had stopped driving several months ago - particularly after daughter's usurpation of the car(!) as she began to drive down for work.

Secondly, I was becoming a huge practitioner of the infamous 'road rage'. I was losing temper at a faster clip on road, causing discomfort for my spouse.

"You're becoming a ruffian," she chided me several times.

Thirdly, I realised that I was "unnecessarily" taking the car out of parking lot just for the heck of it.

Let me put it this way. I used to drive even if I have no business to be out.

Necessity-driven travel, I found to be the best remedy.

In this process, two goals were achieved. Primarily, my petrol bill has nosedived drastically. Bingo!

Secondly, I became a much quieter person. No road rage!

The Commonwealth Games 2010 and the launch of Delhi Metro changed my movements in the metropolis. I procured a smart card for use in Metros.



And grabbed the Rs.50 green ticket on DTC airconditioned buses that provided unlimited access on a daily basis. Any time, any number of trips.

I plan my outings meticulously these days.

Never agree for any meetings before 12 noon. And step out 2 hours in advance to travel comfortably.

Before boarding any DTC bus, I pick up an Outlook, India Today or Open. Find a seat and read the magazine. Usually I am through with the magazine (at least 80%) by the time the destination is reached.

The unread portion is completed in reverse direction.

I pick up something extra to read (from office or meeting places) to keep me busy on my return trip.

There are days I had wantonly stepped in and out of DTC buses purely to extract the maximum out of Rs.50 facility.

On one particular February day, I hop-skipped 10 buses spread over 6 hours. Pure joy, it was.

It was part of trying to explore unknown Delhi destinations.

ONce you have a Rs.50 ticket, you're a king.

Metro again is a blessing. Another airconditioned comfort.

The biggest advantage: no longer I am the chauffeur of my family!

With my daughter in driver's seat, I enjoy the backseat pleasure.

No plans to give it up.

If so, why did I renew my Driving Licence?, you ask?

Good question.

Because it is handy and shove it into my wallet. And use it is as residential and identity proof when travelling in trains and to gain access into airport lounges.

Who knows, one day I may drive before the present licence expires in 2016.

Five long years away.

Meanwhile, I am saving Planet Earth from global warming in my own way!

How about you?