Delhi govt plans to introduce caterpillar buses on major roads, says Gopal Rai

Articulated buses, also known as caterpillar buses, are single-deck vehicles comprising two bus coaches joined at the centre by a pivoting joint. They are capable of holding a large number of passengers.

The Delhi government has also issued an ‘expression of interest’ from global players which manufacture public transport vehicles running on CNG.
Rai had earlier visited the headquarters of bus manufacturers Volvo and Scania in Stockholm in October.

“Articulated buses run in European cities, although they have failed in some places. They have also been tried on Indian roads in other parts of the country. Delhi has certain restrictions as public transport here can only run on CNG. Not all manufacturers will be able to produce CNG buses as the ones in Europe run on diesel. That’s why we issued a global expression of interest,” said a senior government official.

Depending on the feasibility of the plan, the government will procure as many buses as needed, said Rai.

While the articulated buses will run only on major roads in the city like the Ring Road, feeder buses will take commuters to the bus stops, where articulated buses will pick them up.

With the proposed measures, the government is trying to encourage more residents of Delhi to give up private vehicles and use public transport.

Rai urged residents to refrain from using their private cars at least once in a month and use public transport instead, in order to control increasing air pollution. “The use of public transport is an important alternative… in order to reduce congestion and air pollution,” said Rai.