How India moves: DEVI buses a safe and comfortable ride, Delhi’s women tell DTE

Delhi’s Chief Minister Rekha Gupta flagged off the first set of 400 DEVI (Delhi Electric Vehicle Interconnector) buses on May 2, 2025, in a bid to improve last mile connectivity in the national capital. The buses are safe and comfortable, women in Delhi have told Down To Earth (DTE).

The service was previously known as ‘Mohalla buses’ under the previous Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi. After the Bharatiya Janata Party came to power in Delhi earlier this year, the service was rebranded as DEVI, under the Women’s Safety Scheme.

The aim was to provide women with a free, clean, and safe travel experience in the city.

Women of all ages, whether students, working professionals, or mothers told DTE they felt more comfortable and confident in the new buses.

College student Sunita told DTE at Nehru Place, “Travelling in regular buses was often stressful. But now, the DEVI bus offers me a peaceful ride to college. The atmosphere is better, and there’s no fear during the journey,” she said.

Rekha, a working woman from Sarita Vihar, now takes the DEVI bus to reach her office. She explained that earlier she had to spend extra money on autos or face uncomfortable situations. “With the DEVI bus, my commute is now timely and safe.”

Many women passengers said these buses are not just about comfort but also about freedom and dignity. Even mothers with small children find it easier to travel now.

Pushpratam Yadav, a conductor, said women trust the service. “They feel safe and are often more relaxed. The conductors are also specially trained to be polite and helpful, ensuring a respectful space for all,” said Yadav.

A more connected Delhi

Last month, the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), an international nonprofit public policy think tank and research institute, came out with a study which showed that six in 10 daily trips in Delhi are under four kilometres, yet long-haul buses continue to dominate the city’s network.

The researchers used GIS, ward-level data, and transport route information from Delhi Transport Corporation and Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System to show that approximately 31 per cent of urban neighbourhoods in Delhi fall outside a 500-metre radius of a public bus stop. This is a threshold recognised as the standard for walkable access under India’s Transit-Oriented Development policy, according to a statement by ICCT.

But while 69 per cent of buildings are within a walkable distance of 500 metres from public transit in Delhi, nearly one-third of the metropolis’ urban area lacks convenient access to formal bus services.

The researchers also pointed out the most bereft municipal wards:

1. Deoli

2. Jaitpur

3. Sangam Vihar

4. Mustafabad

5. Ghonda

6. Sainik Enclave

7. Hari Nagar Extension

8. Prem Nagar

All of them were found to have zero buildings within 500 metres of a bus stop.

According to the study, Delhi has extensive and vast public transport connectivity. However, it lacks accessibility in dense urban settlements where a traditional 12-metre city bus cannot operate with ease.

Instead, smaller nine-metre neighbourhood buses should be deployed on roads seven metres or wider, the study titled Neighborhood public transit services: Situational analysis of bus-based public transport supply in Delhi said.

Mohalla buses measure were designed to be nine metres in length. These short-distance, high-frequency neighbourhood buses are more tailored to Delhi’s complex urban fabric.

While most women DTE spoke to were satisfied, they did point out some issues. Traffic delays, limited route coverage, and lack of public awareness were common concerns. Some women also suggested adding a mobile app to check bus locations and timings in real-time.