U-Special buses back in city to cover 67 DU colleges

    New Delhi, Aug 28 (PTI) Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday re-launched the U-Special bus service for students of Delhi University as part of efforts to provide a student-friendly travel option.
     She also said that her government is "working seriously" to provide students with concessional passes in metro trains.
     The U-Special bus service was launched with 25 buses covering 67 DU colleges and other educational institutions.
     The electric buses under the service will operate on over 25 routes, stopping at important destinations like metro stations. These buses are equipped with CCTV cameras, panic buttons and will also have radio playing on them.
     "While the previous government used to make U-turns, our government is always in forward gear, taking Delhi forward," Gupta said.
     U-Special buses used to be a lifeline of the university, in which thousands of students commuted to their colleges, but the service was stopped, she noted.
     "I left the university in 1998 after completing my studies and the buses stopped plying at that time. Now I am coming back to the university and with me these buses," Gupta said at the event.
     In a post on X in Hindi, Gupta recalled her time travelling in the buses.
     "This is not just a bus, but a moving world of friendship, chit-chat, and laughter. Where we used to sit on the stairs and play antakshari, you will listen to FM today, but the emotions will remain the same," she added in the post.
     In another post, she said that these new buses will directly connect North and South Campus, JNU, IIT Delhi, and other institutions.
     "The schedule of these buses has been aligned with college timings so that students can get maximum convenience," she added.
     The number of U-Special buses will be increased regularly, she said, adding that her government was moving forward step-by-step to fight pollution, and the e-buses with zero pollution would help in it.
     According to officials, the U-special bus services were stopped in march 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic.
     She said in the last six months, the BJP government has been working hard to take Delhi forward and make life easier for its people.
     Delhi Transport Minister Pankaj Singh said all the U-Special buses were electric and air conditioned, equipped with CCTV cameras and panic buttons for the safety of students.
     The students can also listen to their favourite songs in these buses using QR codes, he added.
     Citing demands from students for concessional passes in metro trains, Gupta said the government was 'working seriously' on the matter.
     In a post on X, the Delhi Transport Corporation said, "#DTCUSpecial Buses – For the Youth, With the Youth. Now, our buses will play the radio and offer melodious music. Passengers will be able to listen to their favorite songs and even dedicate sweet messages and songs to their loved ones."
    "Bus journeys will no longer be boring – instead, they will become friendly and memorable experiences. The bus will now become your buddy, which is why this campaign is called – #BusKarBuddy Because it’s all about musical connectivity – from heart to heart," it added.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)