AITP Buses Cannot Pick Up Road side Passengers: Delhi Transport Dept
The Delhi Transport Department has directed that AITP buses cannot pick up passengers en route. Even with a valid AITP permit, buses can only pick up and drop off passengers from Kashmere Gate, Sarai Kale Khan, and Anand Vihar bus terminals.
The Transport Department in Delhi has issued a new directive that prevents AITP buses from picking up and dropping passengers on the way.
From now on, all intercity and interstate tourist buses, even those with a valid All India Tourist Permit will have to operate as Contract Carriages and pick up passengers only from the three designated bus terminals viz., Kashmere Gate, Sarai Kale Khan, and Anand Vihar.
The department has also issued directives requiring electric buses operating as AITP to comply with the new permit conditions.
This directive comes days after the Kerala High Court reaffirmed that AITP buses cannot operate as Stage Carriages, and pick up en route passengers.
Cause of the New Directive Against AITP Buses
According to officials from the Transport Department, buses that pick up and drop passengers from the unofficial boarding points are one of the root causes of traffic jams during peak evening hours.
However, officials didn’t specify when peak traffic times occur or whether roadside boarding can continue outside those hours.
Delhi Traffic Police Directed to Impound Buses
The Transport Department is taking serious steps to address the issue by impounding buses violating these regulations.
It has issued a circular to the Special Commissioner (Delhi Traffic Police) and the DC (Enforcement) to conduct regular checks and impound buses that flout the new rules.
Several teams of Delhi traffic police will monitor all unauthorized boarding points in the city, including:
- Akshardham
- Majnu ka Tila
- Red Fort
- Sarai Kale Khan
- Dhaula Kuan
- Peeragarhi
- Mukarba Chowk
List of Passengers Mandatory
The circular specifies that AITP buses, inter-state tourist buses, and contract carriage vehicles may only carry passengers with pre-booked tickets. They must maintain a record of passengers, either electronically or in physical form, including each passenger’s origin and destination.
Additionally, the transport department and Delhi Traffic Police will conduct regular inspections of these buses to verify the passenger lists.
Can Buses with AITP Pickup Passengers En Route?
Buses operating under Contract Carriage Permits and Tourist Permits are not allowed to make multiple stops to pick up passengers individually.
But AITP buses can pick up and drop passengers along the way, as stated by the All India Tourist Vehicles (Permit) Rules 2023 that came into force from May 1, 2023.
However, many states have refused to let buses pick up passengers en route over the last year.
To know more about it, read our dedicated article titled Buses with AITP Can Have Multiple Pick-Up Points.
