AAP Govt. Announces 10 Mins of Free WiFi On DTC Buses; Installs CCTV Camera and GPS Devices For Better Security
In August this year, Arvind Kejriwal led Aam Aadmi Party had promised 1 GB of Free Data at 1 Mbps per month for every Delhi citizen. Slowly, but gradually, they are inching closer to their pledge.
Starting today, Delhi Govt. will offer free WiFi on DTC (Delhi Transport Corporation) buses on a trial basis. First 10 minutes of WiFi would be free, after which the users would be asked to share their feedback with the transport department.
Interestingly, the Govt. hasn’t yet decided that after this free 10 minutes, how the consumer will use Internet. Once this trial ends, then this decision would be taken.
Note here, that in the month of May, AAP Govt. had announced that the Free WiFi scheme for Delhi citizens would be based on usage basis, and not time basis. However, for the DTC WiFi project, this earlier announcement has been nullified.
10 Minutes of Free Internet on 6 Buses
In order to check the feasibility of this scheme, Govt. has installed WiFi in 6 buses. Airtel, Reliance and Bhoomi Infotec have placed their WiFi devices in two buses each. The buses which are running between ISBT airport service, Mudrika Sewa, Outer Mudrika having route numbers 120, 964 and 781 have been equipped with WiFi as of now.
The buses which are being used in this trial are: ISBT-Airport bus service (DL1PC 9946), the Mudrika Sewa (DL1PC 8705), the Outer Mudrika (DL10C 7451), route number 120 (DL10C 0348), route number 764 (DL1PC 3205) and route number 781 (DL1PC 3206).
Transport Minister Gopal Rai said, “There will be special stickers pasted on the seats of these buses to inform commuters about how to use the Wi-Fi services available for them. A commuter can use the Wi-Fi only for 10 minutes with a speed of 1 mbps,”
In order to get feedback, users are encouraged to share their experience at 8130344141 through WhatsApp or [email protected] or use the hashtag #aamaadmiwifi on Twitter.
Till January 15, Govt. will observe the response, and based on the feedback and the results, tender for all 3774 DTC buses would be rolled out by February 15, 2015.
Earlier, AAP Govt. had announced that Delhi will get 100% WiFi coverage as well.
CCTV Camera & GPS For Better Security
In addition to GPS, these 6 trial buses have also been equipped with CCTV cameras and GPS units to track the position real time.
This was also part of AAP Government’s poll promises, regarding safety and security of women passengers.
Atleast 3-4 CCTV cameras would be installed in the buses, which will cover front and rear along with the driver’s section. And, the GPS will capture the real time position of the vehicle, which would be combined with the footage of CCTV and broadcasted live to a control room which would be monitored by a team of Government officials.
As Delhi would experience a new kind of transport diktat with odd and even formula, this new development can be an attempt by Delhi Govt. to encourage public transport. They have also indicated in a press conference that Delhi Govt. may launch their own car pooling app.
If you are a Delhi resident, then how will you cope with odd even rule? Will you use DTC buses because of Free WiFi and CCTC Cameras or use car pooling?
