Fewer DTC buses but more accidents

NEW DELHI: The number of Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses has been dwindling progressively. From 5,438 buses in 2012 to 5,216 in 2013-14, the state bus authority has been losing old buses without adding any new one to its fleet. Strangely though, the smaller fleet hasn’t resulted in fewer accidents or breakdowns. In fact, in 2013-14, the rate of accidents went up by almost 25 per cent.From 184 in 2011-12, the number shot up to 225 in 2013-14.
“The rise in number of accidents is a worrying trend,” said a senior government official. “DTC has introduced new measures like refresher courses as well as mandatory skill tests for drivers.” Though it floated a tender a year ago, DTC has found it difficult to procure new buses. Meanwhile, its fleet is getting depleted as the older fleet of standard buses is being scrapped since most are beyond their working years.
The DTC’s on-road service has also been affected. In 2011-12, the number of buses on the road was 5,602, with the standard floor buses accounting for 1,821. In 2013-14, this number came down to 4,567. There are only 2,270 non-AC, 1,123 AC and 1,174 standard floor ones operating in the city.
The numbers in the Delhi Statistical Handbook 2014 are stark: the number of accidents in 2013-14 involving DTC buses was 225, with the non-AC buses having the highest number of 123. The AC buses were also involved in 45 accidents and the standard ones in 57. Of the 225 accidents, 147 were minor and 15 major ones. Compare this with the data released in Delhi Statistical Handbook 2013. DTC buses had been involved in 184 accidents in 2011-12, of which the non-AC buses again took the lead, accounting for 111 accidents.
The breakdown figure is no better this year. There were 66 breakdowns reported per 10,000 buses. The maximum breakdowns were in the AC buses, which had 113 breakdowns per 10,000 bus followed by the Non-AC buses. In 2011-12, the number of breakdowns was only 33 for airconditioned buses while it was 111 for Non-AC buses.