The AAP is looking at ways to streamline the public transport system in the national capital over the next few months. Policy strategists in the party are working with the government with regard to the functioning of buses, e-rickshaws and auto-rickshaws. Leaders said the premise the party was working to incentivise public transport as much as possible by improving its spread across the city, with benefits ranging from better last mile connectivity to reduced pollution. Leaders within the party said one of their first priorities was to look at acquiring an additional fleet of buses for the DTC. “At the last count, there were close to 5,800 buses running in the city, and there was a shortfall of at least 3,000 buses. We intend to acquire at least 4,000 buses. This proposal had in fact been made by earlier governments. It is a matter of all procedures going through and it is one of things that we are examining,” a strategist said. Sources also said that the party was looking to bring in a policy for e-rickshaw drivers across the city, regulating a fee structure, as well as bringing in standards for engines used in them. “Currently, there is a lack of a clear system for e-rickshaw drivers. Which also means that there is no standard for the engine that a rickshaw can have. Regulations to that effect are required,” a source said. [related-post] The party thinktank is also looking to emulate some parts of the Tripura Battery Operated Rickshaws Rules 2014, which has been put in force in Agartala. “Tripura has shown a successful model for the e-rickshaws. In their policy, there are 55 routes that have been notified in municipal limits. We will try and implement part of these rules in Delhi as well,” a strategist said. With shared auto services already existing in rural areas, the party is also looking at methods to expand their scope in Delhi.
