The Times of India
Using public transport to reach IGI airport may soon be a whole new experience. After the metro&##39;s upcoming 20-minute line to IGI from
Connaught Place, the urban development ministry along with Delhi Transport Corporation is planning a "premium" bus service to the airport, with world-class buses, lounges at waiting areas across the city and refreshments and check-in on the way.
The service was given an in-principle nod at a meeting held in the ministry on Wednesday. According to sources, the bus service, which will be jointly run by Urban Mass Transit Company - a joint venture between the ministry of urban development and IL&FS - and DTC, will target middle and upper income Delhiites.
Sources said the buses will have TV screens, music, baggage space and flight check-in facilities. All passengers will be served beverages on the way, and the staff will be well-trained and courteous.
A preliminary list of about 27 pick-up points has been prepared from where the service will operate. At each of these points, world-class waiting rooms will be constructed and a tie-up with radio cabs is being suggested for further connectivity from these points to the final destination. An online booking facility is also being looked into.
The proposal is to let UMTC arrange for the buses, their operation, maintenance and staff while DTC provides depots, terminals and permits, but the finer details are yet to be worked out.
"UMTC has been asked to work out the modalities of the scheme and discuss it with DTC, the transport department and Delhi government. The bus service was given an in-principal approval by the stakeholders and UMTC will now carry out detailed market studies to ascertain the routes, pick-up points, passenger demand, number of buses required etc," an official said.
Data compiled by the ministry of civil aviation reveals that a meagre 7.9 million passengers used the Delhi airport in 1995-96. The number had dramatically risen to more than 23 million in 2007-08. With the airline passenger load increasing at a very fast pace, and the airport renovation underway, a need was felt to tackle the jams on the road network around IGI. The main reason for the congestion, is lack of connectivity to the airport via public transport, due to which people prefer to come by private vehicles.
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Airport Link News Updates - June 5, 2009 |
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UMTC, InDevelop join hands to bring radio autorickshaw facility to Pune -
December 6, 2008 |
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Now BRTS for nine more cities,
New Delhi - October 03, 2008 |
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Now BRTS for nine more cities -
October 03, 2008 |
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Draft mobility plan to be submitted in a month - September 30, 2008 |
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HMR MD to join UMTC Board - August 08, 2008 |
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Coming soon, a premium bus service to IGI - June 19, 2008 |
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APSRTC pacts MoA with UMTC,
Hyderabad, October 19, 2007 |
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