The Delhi Transport Corporation's (DTC) fleet of buses, the main transport-medium in the national capital, is being utilised to just 60 percent of its capacity. The DTC has as many as 5082 buses. Presently, each bus runs 180 km per day on average, even though it can run more than 300 km in a day, claims a senior DTC official not wishing to be quoted.

According to the offcial, the  buses are being underutilised because the corporation is severely understaffed. 

This gross under-utilisation of resources is one of the factors causing losses to the corporation, admits the official. DTC is losing almost Rs 30-40cr a month, he says.

Due to shortage of staff - mainly drivers and conductors - almost all buses run for nearly 11 hours a day and are seen idling at depots or terminals rest of the time, the officer adds. Ideally, a bus can be put to use for 20 hours.

A bus requires two conductors and two drivers - for the morning and evening shifts - on a particular route. Stand-in drivers and conductors are used on days when the regulars are on leave.

Presently, there is a requirement of 1,500 drivers and an equal number of conductors. Ahead of the Commonwealth Games 1000 additional buses will be made operational and by that time about 5,000 additional staff - including drivers and conductors - will be required.

However, the recruitment process has started and shortage is expected to be met before the Commonwealth Games, he adds.