Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu has directed the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) to introduce bus services from 4 am across all of its nearly 900 routes, prioritizing women's safety and improving connectivity for early-morning commuters. The move follows a review meeting where officials identified routes with high female ridership and those considered vulnerable.
Expansion of early-morning bus services
Currently, DTC buses begin leaving depots around 4 am, but only a limited number of routes operate at that hour. For example, on the Bhajanpura to Noida route, buses reach designated stops at approximately 4.15 am and 4.55 am. The proposed expansion aims to extend such early service across the entire network, allowing long-distance commuters—including women, students, and workers—to reach their destinations on time. Officials say this will address connectivity gaps for those traveling to schools, colleges, offices, and industrial areas before sunrise.
Enhanced security measures for women
During the review meeting, officials informed the L-G that a preliminary exercise had pinpointed routes with high female ridership and those deemed vulnerable from a safety perspective. In response, Sandhu directed the Delhi Police to deploy women police personnel on ladies’ special buses operating on those identified routes, particularly during morning and evening peak hours when large numbers of women travel to educational institutions and workplaces. He also called for the deployment of women Home Guard Marshals to assist them, issuing a clear instruction that women’s safety must not be compromised under any circumstances.
Impact on commuter safety and confidence
Authorities believe the presence of women police personnel on buses will strengthen security, deter unruly behavior, and help prevent harassment during boarding and de-boarding. Officials noted that the personnel would play an important role in ensuring that buses designated for women remain safe spaces for passengers. The proposed 4 am bus services and enhanced on-board security measures are part of a broader effort to make public transport more accessible and dependable for commuters whose daily journeys begin before sunrise, while addressing long-standing concerns about safety during the city’s least-served travel hours.
