New Delhi, Sep 23 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Delhi, Rekha Gupta, has officially launched an interstate DTC AC bus service connecting Delhi to Baraut in Uttar Pradesh. During the inauguration, she criticized previous administrations for discontinuing profitable services offered by the public transport system.

Additionally, new Digital Ticketing machines have been introduced for bus conductors, along with a new app, Chalo, designed for commuters, according to official reports.

While addressing the crowd at the interstate bus service launch from ISBT Kashmiri Gate, CM Gupta stated that the prior government deliberately dismantled the revenue-generating operations of the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC).

In a subtle jab at Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, she questioned, "Why did those who aspired to elevate Delhi to the standard of London and Paris neglect the improvement of the city's transport system?"

CM Gupta asserted, "The halting of DTC's interstate services for the past 17-18 years has been part of a scheme to undermine the Corporation."

She highlighted that while private interstate bus services are thriving, the DTC should also be able to achieve similar success. "When I assumed office, I observed buses from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Punjab operating within the city. I questioned the absence of interstate DTC buses," she remarked.

CM Gupta emphasized that the Delhi to Baraut bus service represents merely the beginning, with plans to introduce at least one new interstate service each month in the near future.

In a message on X, she stated, "On the occasion of the birth anniversary of the Honourable Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji, we inaugurated the interstate bus service from ISBT Kashmiri Gate, Delhi to Baraut in UP, along with modern PoS machines and the Chalo app."

She affirmed, "The reinstatement of this interstate bus service, which had been dormant for years, showcases our commitment to establishing an affordable, accessible, reliable, and inclusive public transportation system."

To combat pollution, initiatives to introduce electric buses in private schools are also being initiated, she noted.

Present at the event were Delhi Transport Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh, MP from Baghpat Lok Sabha constituency Rajkumar Sangwan, alongside DTC officials.

The DTC has also rolled out new ticketing machines, developed in collaboration with Canara Bank, aiming to facilitate fare payments via card and QR code through handheld point-of-sale (PoS) electronic ticketing machines. This initiative is expected to enhance automated fare collection for improved transparency and digitize payment processes.

Moreover, the DTC is focused on providing real-time occupancy information to commuters regarding each approaching bus.