Delhi govt decides to discontinue 'MP Special' bus service due to poor response

New Delhi: Delhi government on Tuesday decided to discontinue 'MP Special' bus service after receiving "poor response" from Parliamentarians over the last two consecutive days. On Tuesday, the AAP government withdrew four out of six air-conditioned buses when only three-four MPs had availed the service. On Wednesday as well, a few Parliamentarians travelled in these buses to reach the House.

"Government has decided to discontinue 'MP Special' bus service as we were not getting a good response from them. “If demand arises to introduce the service again, we will then come up with such buses to facilitate Parliamentarians," Delhi Transport Minister Gopal Rai said.

Delhi government had launched 'MP Special' bus service on Monday to ferry them to Parliament in view of implementation of the Odd-Even scheme and run six-air-conditioned buses for lawmakers.

The 'MP Special' buses were to ply from 9 AM to 11 AM and 5.30 PM to 8 PM. The Transport Minister has already ruled out exempting MPs from the scheme but the AAP dispensation will work to address their issues through public conveyance.

On Tuesday, Rai met Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari and discussed how MPs would reach Parliament. After the meeting, the minister had said there were just four days left and by the time any change in the notification is effected, the scheme would itself end.