Delhi Launches Hydrogen Shuttle Buses

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation began running two hydrogen-powered shuttle buses in New Delhi’s Central Vista on May 15, adding a new last-mile service around government offices and public buildings. The buses were launched in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, according to DMRC. Indian Oil Corporation took part in the handover, with its Director (Refinery) Arvind Kumar giving ceremonial keys to DMRC Director (Operations and Services) Amit Kumar Jain at Central Secretariat Metro station. (delhimetrorail.com) The service is small at launch — two buses, both starting from the Central Secretariat Metro station — but it is set up as a regular passenger operation rather than a one-day demonstration. (delhimetrorail.com) DMRC said the buses entered service at 8:30 a.m. on Friday. The corporation said the project is intended to promote hydrogen as a cleaner transport fuel in the capital. ### Where do the buses run? Central Vista is the first operating zone for the service, with one bus running clockwise and the other anti-clockwise through a loop linking metro access to government offices and landmarks. The route covers Kartavya Bhawan, Vigyan Bhawan, Nirman Bhawan, Akbar Road, Baroda House, National Stadium, the National Gallery of Modern Art, India Gate and Seva Teerth Metro station, according to DMRC’s statement carried by The Hindu. (delhimetrorail.com) Central Secretariat and Seva Teerth are the two metro anchors for the service. That makes the buses a connector for office commuters and visitors moving between metro stations and the wider Central Vista district. (delhimetrorail.com) ### When can passengers use them? The buses will operate on working days from Monday to Friday, excluding gazetted holidays, during peak office periods. The published service windows are 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. A 30-minute frequency is planned at launch. (thehindu.com) DMRC said that means one bus on each directional loop during operating hours. ### How much does the ride cost? DMRC fixed the fare at stage-wise rates of 10 rupees and 15 rupees. (thehindu.com) Passengers can pay through the National Common Mobility Card, UPI and cash, according to the service details reported on May 15. Those payment options place the buses inside the same digital and cash fare mix already familiar to many Delhi commuters. (thehindu.com) DMRC did not announce a separate premium fare for the hydrogen service in the material reviewed. ### Who is backing the project? (thehindu.com) The May 15 launch was presented as a joint effort by DMRC, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. Indian Oil Corporation was the named industry participant at the handover ceremony, with senior officials from DMRC and IOCL present. (thehindu.com) DMRC said the initiative is meant to support environment-friendly public transport and promote green hydrogen as a fuel alternative. That description came from the corporation’s own statement on the launch day. (thehindu.com) ### Why is Delhi starting with Central Vista? New Delhi’s Central Vista concentrates ministries, public offices and daily commuter traffic, making it a controlled corridor for a first deployment. The route’s stops — including Kartavya Bhawan, Vigyan Bhawan and India Gate — indicate the service is aimed at dense official and visitor movement near central government buildings. (delhimetrorail.com) Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on May 11 that people should reduce unnecessary fuel use and adopt more sustainable practices, according to The Hindu. The newspaper said the hydrogen-bus launch came days after that appeal. (thehindu.com) Friday’s rollout leaves the next step clear: the two buses are now scheduled to run every weekday, except gazetted holidays, from Central Secretariat through the Central Vista loop and back during the morning and afternoon office windows set out by DMRC. (thehindu.com)