CM Rekha Gupta Flags Off Delhi’s First Electric Double-Decker Bus

Delhi has marked the return of double-decker buses to its roads after nearly four decades, with Chief Minister Rekha Gupta flagging off a fully electric tourist double-decker bus.

The newly introduced electric double-decker tourist bus, launched under the Dekho Meri Dilli initiative, represents a convergence of nostalgia, sustainable mobility, and structured tourism planning.

Designed as a 65-seater low-floor, zero-emission vehicle, the bus will operate on a dedicated heritage circuit covering Delhi’s major cultural, historical, and administrative landmarks.

A Bus-Led Tourism Revival Strategy

Speaking at the launch, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta emphasised that the reintroduction of double-decker buses combines Delhi’s transport legacy with future-ready mobility.

“After many years, double-decker buses will once again run on Delhi roads. It is completely electric, emission-free, and will provide a wonderful experience to tourists,” she said.

Electric Double-Decker: Key Operational Highlights

The bus has been introduced by the Delhi Tourism Department under a public-private partnership model, supported through the CSR initiative of the Hinduja Group.

Manufactured by Switch Mobility, the vehicle represents India’s growing capability in advanced electric bus engineering.

Key operational features include:

• Fully electric and emission-free drivetrain
• Low-floor configuration for accessibility
• Seating capacity of 63–65 passengers
• Open panoramic upper deck for sightseeing
• Onboard a trained tourist guide
• Pre-booking enabled ticketing system
• Designed for operation in Lutyens’ Delhi despite tree canopy and overhead constraints

The inaugural circuit connects major destinations, including Shaheed Smarak, Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya, Rashtrapati Bhavan precinct, India Gate, and other central Delhi landmarks.

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Government Vision: Tourism Through Clean Mobility

Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra stated that the initiative aims to reposition Delhi from being merely a transit stop to becoming a destination-led tourism city.

According to the minister, additional electric double-decker buses are planned as part of a broader effort to provide a “global experience in a global city,” supported by electrified transport infrastructure and upcoming international cultural events.

The Chief Minister also reiterated that future tourism mobility solutions in Delhi will increasingly rely on electric vehicles, aligning with the government’s long-term clean transport roadmap.

Industry Significance for the Bus Sector

For India’s bus ecosystem, the project highlights several emerging trends:

• Diversification of bus applications beyond public transport
• Growth of electric buses in niche tourism operations
• Revival of iconic bus formats through electrification
• Increasing role of CSR-backed fleet deployment
• Expansion of premium experience-based bus services

India currently has only one domestic manufacturer producing electric double-decker buses at scale, positioning such deployments as technologically significant demonstrations for urban mobility markets.

A Symbolic Comeback with Future Implications

Delhi last operated double-decker buses in regular service until 1989, when operational and maintenance challenges led to their phase-out.

With ticket pricing fixed at ₹500 for adults and ₹300 for children (plus GST), the service is expected to cater to both domestic and international tourists while serving as a pilot model for future electric tourism fleets across Indian cities.

The launch also complements Delhi’s broader electrification push, which targets 14,000 electric buses by 2028, reinforcing the capital’s position as India’s leading electric bus market.