Travelling by bus in Delhi is set to get easier as the city’s transport department has decided to put up new signboards with detailed route maps at bus queue shelters. The project, starting with the trans-Yamuna region, aims to provide clear travel information to millions of daily commuters and reduce confusion at bus stops.
Step Towards Commuter-Friendly Transport
For years, there were discussions around creating metro-style route maps for buses, but little progress was made. Now, with a fresh tender floated, the transport department has begun work to execute the plan in phases, beginning with East Delhi where residents largely depend on buses as their main mode of transport.
Transport Minister Pankaj Singh explained that clear signage at shelters is a basic yet essential need that will make planning journeys easier for passengers. Each signboard will display the list of bus routes halting at that stop, along with their start and end points, stoppages, frequency, and interchange locations.
The department has invited bids for the design, supply, installation, and regular upkeep of these boards, ensuring the displays remain updated and easy to read. Made from weather-resistant materials, they will be well-suited to Delhi’s harsh climatic conditions.
Phased Roll-Out and Future Upgrades
In the first phase, ₹62 lakh has been allocated for installations in trans-Yamuna areas, with a target to complete the work in six months. These shelters will also undergo audits to ensure accuracy of the information provided. Over time, the boards will be rolled out across all 4,000+ shelters in the city.
To make the system even more commuter-centric, the transport department is considering adding digital information systems at select stops. This will complement other planned upgrades such as better seating, improved lighting, and more accessible shelters.
At present, over 3.5 million people use Delhi’s DTC and cluster buses every day. Without proper information displays, passengers often depend on drivers, conductors, or fellow commuters to figure out routes. The new system is expected to change that by making bus travel more systematic and convenient.
This initiative is part of the government’s larger push to modernise the city’s bus infrastructure. In earlier attempts, around 300 shelters were equipped with route maps in collaboration with the Delhi Metro, but many plans did not move forward. With this renewed effort, officials expect to bridge those gaps and make public transport more commuter-friendly.
