Delhi introduces AC e-bus service to Noida Airport

Delhi residents will soon use electric air-conditioned buses to reach Noida International Airport. The Delhi government and the airport authority have signed an agreement to start this service. The e-bus route will begin with trial runs from major spots like Sarai Rohilla, Anand Vihar, and Kamla Market. Delhi Transport Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh stated that the specific schedules and stops will be determined later. The buses will go directly to the airport terminal, not just to a nearby drop-off point. Currently, the Delhi Transport Corporation runs bus services to Indira Gandhi International Airport and has 12 routes connecting Delhi and Noida, including Noida Electronic City. The new e-bus service will start with initial trials to gauge passenger demand. More buses may be added after a few months of assessment. Women can travel for free with special “pink passes,” while men might see a small fare increase, which is yet to be confirmed. The buses will be equipped with air-conditioning, GPS, panic buttons, and fire extinguishers to ensure safety. The transport department plans to retire 200 older buses this month and introduce 900 electric buses into its fleet. Noida International Airport is currently behind schedule. The new deadline is April 2025, which means the project is running six months late. Officials indicated that Delhi's Chief Minister has instructed them to enforce penalties of Rs 10 lakh per day on the contractor for this delay.