Local Transport Links in Delhi
Local transport in Delhi NCR has undergone massive development in the last decade to become the top in India. Metro Train as a rapid & safe transit system provides a trouble-free way of commuting between different locations of NCR. While metro ridership grew to approx 2,285,000 per day in 2018-19, but still the buses remain a well-liked mode of public transport. On the other hand, this is a fact most of the buses in Delhi are overcrowded and most of them are without air-conditioning. Almost every traveler here uses three-wheeler rickshaws and app-based cab services like Uber & OLA for short trips or all-day visiting the attractions. Here’s what you should know.
How to ride Delhi Metro?
Delhi Metro is one of the biggest & busiest Metro networks in India. This network has transformed public transport in the entire Delhi NCR since it started operating on 25 December 2002. Metro ride is more comfortable, prompt, and proficient than the other modes of transportation, and connects different parts of NCR like Noida, Greater Noida, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Ballabhgarh & Bahadurgarh from each other and being constructed in different stages.
Currently, there are 10 lines operational in Delhi Metro:-
- Red Line (Dilshad Garden – Shaheed Sthal)
- Yellow Line (Huda City Centre – Samaypur Badli
- Blue Line (Dwarka Sector 21 – Noida Electronic City)
- Blue Line (Yamuna Bank - Vaishali)
- Green Line (Inderlok – Mundka)
- Violet Line (Kashmere Gate – Raja Nahar Singh)
- Pink Line (Majlis Park - Shiv Vihar)
- Magenta Line (Janakpuri West - Botanical Garden)
- Grey Line (Dwarka - Dhansa Bus Stand located in Najafgarh)
- Airport Metro Express Line
Types of Metro Fare Cards:
Smart Card:- This is the best option for daily commuters. You can purchase a smart card with a minimum payable amount of Rs. 150 (Rs. 100 Value + Rs. 50 Security). Further recharge of this card can be done at any metro station with a minimum value of Rs. 200.
Tourist Card:- The best choice for limitless travel over a short duration, valid in all metro lines except Airport Line.
Currently, you can buy two types of tourist cards:-
One-Day Card: available at Rs. 200 only (Rs. 100 Value + Rs. 50 Refundable Security).
Three-Day Card: available at Rs. 500 only (Rs. 450 + Rs. 50 refundable security)
Token:- Infrequent commuters can purchase the token from the wending machine or ticket counters. These tokens are permitted for only way only and a few hours (expire after 180 minutes).
How to pay?
You can purchase cards only from the customer care center at any metro station. You can top up metro cards online and customer care center with cash or card payment. You can purchase the token from the token vending machine or the ticket counter with cash only.
Hours of operation: Metro trains on every line run approximately between 5:30 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. During peak hours the frequency of the train is 2 minutes or less, at other times you have to wait up to 10 minutes.
Accessibility features: Delhi Metro has special accessibility features for specially-abled persons.
Riding the Bus in Delhi
Only in Delhi, there are about 800 routes and approx 2,500 bus stops linking almost every part of the capital city. From these buses, you can go anywhere in Delhi at very affordable fare, but the comfort of your journey will differ, dependent on the type of bus you take.
There are 2 types of buses in Delhi: cluster buses in Orange and Blue colors that operate under public-private partnership agreements & Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS), and red and green under DTC buses.
In cluster buses, the blue ones are comfortable and air-conditioned, while orange buses are ordinary without air-conditioned. Red Buses are low floor and have air conditioning, and can be found on almost all routes. On the normal days, buses run from 5.30 a.m. until 10.30 or 11 p.m. notably, they consume environmentally-friendly Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).
The DTC (Delhi Transport Corporation) offers bus services all over the Delhi NCR, with costs ranging from Rs. 5 – 15 for ordinary buses and Rs. 10 – 25 for AC buses. Auto rickshaws charges in Delhi are Rs. 25 for the first 2 Kilometers and thereafter Rs. 8 per kilometer.
Read our guide to buses in Delhi to learn more, or consult the DTC website for bus routes.
Sightseeing Buses for Tourists
This is the best option for the tourists who want to go sightseeing. The DTC’s economical full-day Delhi Darshan bus tour takes you to seven famous tourist spots around the city. With a fare of Rs. 200 for adults and Rs. 100 for children, you can visit Red Fort, Raj Ghat, Akshardham Temple, Birla Mandir, Lotus Temple, and Humanyun’s Tomb, etc. Sightseeing Buses depart from Scindia House in Connaught Place at sharp 9:15 AM and the tour ends at around 6 PM at Akshardham. The problem is that you will be hurried and will only get to spend up to 45 minutes at every site.
On the other hand, Delhi Tourism's Hop On Hop Off bus service is the best and smart option. This service can take you to 25+ tourist sports including museums & monuments. These are the air-conditioned buses with special facilities for the specially-abled people, tourist guides in both English and Hindi languages. This service is available from the morning 7:30 AM to evening 6:00 PM, with departures every 45 minutes. Passes are also available for 1 or 2 days at different prices for Indians & Foreigners. You can take the advantage of discounted fixed itinerary bus tours on Mondays when many monuments are closed.
Airport Shuttle Bus
Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) runs an airport shuttle bus service. It is an express route that connects Delhi International Airport T3 to ISBT Kashmere Gate via New Delhi Railway Station, Red Fort, and Connaught Place. This shuttle service runs continuously with departures every 30 minutes.
Another airport shuttle service as 534A runs between Delhi International Airport T2 and Anand Vihar ISBT. These buses also run continuously between 7 AM to 10 PM with a minimum fare of Rs. 27 and a maximum fare of Rs. 106 depending on distance traveled.
Auto Rickshaws and E-Rickshaws
Delhi NCR’s roads are full of green & yellow strips auto-rickshaws, and it is very hard to ask them to turn their meters on. The auto driver will quote more than the double fare of your journey, and now it is your bargaining power to get the best fare. So, everyone needs to get a good idea of the fare before negotiating with them. There are numerous locations in Delhi NCR where these auto-rickshaws refuse to go, as they may not get a return passenger.
Generally, at the main gate of every metro station, you will come across non-polluting e-rickshaws in Delhi NCR. These shared rickshaws are available one after one and commute between the metro station and nearby areas, at a very reasonable fare of Rs. 10 for the first 2 Kilometer and then Rs. 5 for every kilometer.
Taxis in Delhi
Just like any other city in India or the world, prepaid taxis remain the most preferred way of getting from the airport to your hotel or your home. On the other hand, app-based taxi services Uber & Ola have become the most suitable way of travel to different parts of Delhi NCR. For travelers who are new in Delhi, this means it's no longer necessary to negotiate with unprofessional taxi drivers and rip-offs. These app-based taxi services are charging very reasonable but sometimes charges are a little-bit high depending on the availability & hours.
Bicycle Rentals in Delhi
Yulu in Delhi presents electric bicycles for rent, you can take a bicycle from Yulu through an app available in the play store. In this application, you can check the availability in your nearby zone and leave them at another zone with an empty slot. The best thing is that there is no need for a helmet & driving license. Bicycles zones are mostly near bus stops and just outside of the metro stations. The Yulu app requires users to maintain a balance in their wallet and takes a refundable 250 rupee security deposit.
Important tips for transportation in Delhi NCR
- Public transport in Delhi NCR mostly shuts down at night, even if a few night service buses continue to work on important routes.
- If not necessary then avoid traveling by metro or buses during peak hours.
- Tourist cards in the metro train are only actually worth the cost if you are planning on taking numerous trips.
- Uber & Ola are available 24X7 and best for immediate and trouble-free rides.
- Avoid three-wheeler auto during the winter season unless you are wearing very warm clothing.
What is a good transport link?
A good transport link means an efficient transportation system and direct connection to people, business, and the place you want to reach. A good transport link means good transportation and easy access to jobs thus the economy.