Delhi Cabinet Said to Review App-Based Premium Bus Scheme

The Delhi Cabinet Wednesday discussed an ambitious app-based premium bus scheme after Lt Governor Najeeb Jung asked it to review the scheme again.

Sources said the government will apprise Jung in a written communication as to why the city needs the app-based premium bus service which will help strengthen the public transport in the national capital.

The scheme could not be implemented on Wednesday after Jung asked the Delhi government to review it.

The sources said that the meeting chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also discussed the sections of Motor Vehicles ACT under which the scheme was being introduced, adding that government may also seek people's opinion to implement it.

Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) of Delhi government has initiated a probe into the app-based premium bus scheme which was red-flagged by the Lt Governor on the ground that his approval was not taken before notifying it.

"Government has prepared a list of rationales behind the introduction of this scheme and they will soon be sent to the LG's office," they further said.

Under the scheme announced by Transport Minister Gopal Rai last month, people can book their seats in a bus through their smartphone on the lines of app-based taxi services.

Earlier in the day, ACB chief M K Meena ordered an inquiry into the scheme on the basis of a complaint filed by BJP MLA Vijender Gupta who alleged that the Kejriwal government wanted to launch the scheme to benefit a Gurgaon-based private bus aggregator.