The deadline for the introduction of Delhi's bus cluster scheme has been shifted again. Now, the cluster buses can be expected on city streets by the end of February and beginning of March.

The new deadline was announced on Monday, deferring the last deadline by a month. The scheme has been hit by delays. The first deadline lapsed in October last year, following which the government has been moving it by a month ever since.

As many as 50 low-floor buses are expected to cover the bus rapid transit (BRT) route in the city under the scheme. Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS) will monitor the operation of these buses.

Though more than 200 buses have been earmarked under the first cluster, initially 50 will take to the roads as a pilot. Once these stabilise, remaining will be put on roads, said a DIMTS officer. There are 32 routes for the cluster buses. Cluster one route is concentrated in South Delhi where BRT exists. DIMTS authorities will monitor the functioning through operations control and data centre inaugurated at DIMTS office at Kashmiri Gate ISBT last week.  The buses have been procured and their registration has begun. The DIMTS authorities are hiring the conductors. Earlier, the buses under the first cluster were scheduled to start operating in January.