Quick Guide to Delhi Buses
Wanting to travel around Delhi by bus? This quick guide to Delhi buses will get you started. Most of the buses in Delhi are operated by the government-owned Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC). The network of services is vast—there are about 800 bus routes and 2,500 bus stops connecting almost every part of the city!
The buses use environmentally friendly Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and they are reportedly the largest fleet of their kind in the world.
Types of Buses
Delhi’s bus system has undergone significant changes in recent years to enhance safety and performance. In 2011, the notoriously erratic privately-operated Blueline buses were phased out. These have been replaced by frequent and clean non-air conditioned orange “cluster” buses, which run under public-private partnership agreements.
The cluster buses are regulated by the Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS) and tracked via GPS. Tickets are computerized, drivers undergo special training, and there are strict standards for cleanliness and punctuality. However, the buses aren’t air-conditioned, so they do get hot and uncomfortable during the summer months.
The DTC’s rickety old buses are also being replaced with new low-floored green and red buses. The red buses are air-conditioned and are found on nearly all routes across the city.
Times
Buses generally operate from around 5:30 a.m. until approximately 10:30-11 p.m. While night service buses continue to operate on prominent, busy routes thereafter.
The frequency of buses varies, ranging from every 5 minutes to 30 minutes or more, depending on the route and time of day. On most routes, you can typically expect a bus every 15 to 20 minutes. However, buses may become unreliable due to traffic conditions. A timetable of DTC bus routes can be found online.
Routes
The Mudrika Seva and Bahri Mudrika Seva are among the most popular routes, running along the main Ring Road and Outer Ring Road, respectively. The Bahri Mudrika Seva extends for 105 kilometers, making it the city’s longest bus route, encircling the entire city. New routes have been introduced to connect with the Metro train network.
Fares
Fares are higher on the new air-conditioned buses. You can expect to pay a minimum of 10 rupees and a maximum of 25 rupees per trip for air-conditioned buses, while ordinary buses charge between 5 and 15 rupees. Refer to online resources to view a fare chart.
A daily Green Card is available for travel on all DTC bus services (excluding Palam Coach, Tourist, and Express services), priced at 40 rupees for non-air conditioned buses and 50 rupees for air-conditioned ones.
Delhi Airport Express Service
DTC launched a popular airport bus service in late 2010, connecting Delhi Airport Terminal 3 with major locations including Kashmere Gate ISBT (via New Delhi Railway Station and Connaught Place), Anand Vihar ISBT, Indirapuram (via Sector 62 in Noida), Rohini (Avantika), Azadpur, Rajendra Place, and Gurgaon.
Tourist Buses
Various types of guided tours can be found in Delhi. The Delhi Transport Corporation operates affordable Delhi Darshan sightseeing tours, with fares set at only 200 rupees for adults and 100 rupees for children. Buses depart from Scindia House in Connaught Place, stopping at popular attractions around the city.
Additionally, Delhi Tourism offers a purple air-conditioned Delhi Hop on Hop Off bus service designed for tourists. There are different ticket prices for Indians and foreigners: a one-day ticket costs 1,000 rupees for foreigners and 500 rupees for Indians, while a two-day ticket costs approximately 1,200 rupees for foreigners and around 600 rupees for Indians.
