Synopsis:
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From Saturday night (September 14, 2024), all buses need a FASTag to use Delhi's ISBTs.
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A flat parking fee of ₹500 (excluding GST) will apply for 25 minutes, payable only with FASTag.
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Buses that don't have FASTags can get them at the terminals. Infrastructure improvements have been made to support this.
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Both government and private buses will pay the same fee, aiming to stop illegal parking and reduce congestion.
The Delhi Transport Department has announced that starting Saturday night (September 14, 2024), buses will not be allowed to enter or operate from the city’s three Inter-State Bus Terminals (ISBTs) – Kashmere Gate, Sarai Kale Khan, and Anand Vihar – without a FASTag. This rule, applicable to both government and private buses, aims to streamline fee collection and ease traffic congestion around these busy terminals.
New Parking Fees and Penalties
As part of the new regulations, a uniform parking fee of ₹500 (excluding GST) will be levied for a parking duration of up to 25 minutes. This fee will be collected exclusively via FASTag . Buses overstaying the 25-minute limit will face penalties, although the notification did not specify the exact fines for extended parking.
FASTag Payment: When and How to Make?
FASTag Provision and Infrastructure Upgrades
Arrangements have been made to provide FASTags to buses that don’t have them at the ISBTs. According to officials from the Delhi Transport Infrastructure Development Corporation (DTIDC), which oversees the three terminals, several improvements have also been made. These include upgrading porta cabins, barriers, and adding air-conditioned rooms for operators and storerooms to ensure the smooth rollout of the new FASTag system.
What Are The Benefits of Using FASTag?
Uniform Charges for Government and Private Buses
One big change in the new system is that both government and private buses will now pay the same parking fees. Earlier, private buses had to pay more, so many parked illegally or picked up passengers outside the ISBTs. This caused traffic jams and made state-run buses lose money. The new uniform fees are meant to fix these problems and treat all bus operators equally.
Solving Traffic and Congestion Problems
The introduction of the FASTag system is expected to solve long-standing traffic and congestion issues around ISBTs. Problems like poor parking management, delays in bus schedules, and illegal parking often caused traffic jams, especially on main roads like the Ring Road, Tis Hazari, and Sadar Bazar. The new system aims to make bus operations smoother, which should reduce traffic on key roads near ISBTs like Tis Hazari and Sarai Kale Khan.
Challenges in Running ISBTs
Officials highlighted that the ISBTs haven’t been used as much as they could be, mainly because private buses were charged differently than government buses, and parking was poorly managed. Additionally, bus staff using terminals as rest areas added to the traffic outside ISBTs. With the new FASTag system and uniform parking fees, authorities aim to make operations more efficient, reduce traffic jams, and increase the use of ISBTs.
