NEW DELHI, June 8: In a first, Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) will run air-conditioned buses under Cluster Scheme in the national capital with the AAP government proposing to float tenders for 2,000 new AC standard-floor buses to be operated by DTC and DIMTS 

The government's move came after the DTC could not buy buses despite floating tenders about two-three times as bus manufacturers did not showed interest due to some conditions in the tenders.

The decision to allow DTC to operate buses under Cluster model will augment public transport in the national. A proposal to float tenders for 2,000 AC standard-floor buses will soon be tabled at a meeting of Delhi Cabinet for its approval, sources said.

At present, Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS) operates buses (orange) through Cluster Scheme under which corporate entities are invited by the government to run their buses.

However, DTC purchases buses and run them on their own.

Under cluster model, concessioners are paid on kilometres scheme.

"Government has decided to float tenders for 2,000 AC standard-floor buses which will be operated by both DTC and DIMTS. A proposal in this regard will soon be tabled at a meeting of Cabinet to be chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal," Transport Minister Gopal Rai said.

Rai said the Transport department has been asked to float tenders for new 2,000 new AC standard-floor buses once the proposal receives the Cabinet's nod. The minister also said that government is contemplating to park theses buses in the DTC's depots.

The AAP government aims to add 10,000 new buses to the capital roads to strengthen public transport. It has also proposed to implement app-based Premium Bus Service Scheme through which Delhiites would be able to book their seat in buses through their smart phones on the lines of app-bases taxi services.