56 women-only electric bus services are now running in Delhi

Delhi’s buses are getting a little more women-friendly. The Delhi government has added 56 dedicated women-only electric bus services to the city’s already ginormous bus fleet, with a particular focus on making the daily commute easier for women and Delhi University students.

The new services cover some of the city’s busiest routes, from Nehru Place and AIIMS to Connaught Place, Karol Bagh and Kashmere Gate, while dedicated University Ladies Special buses will connect several DU colleges. And yes, these aren’t just regular buses with a new name: the services come with women police personnel, home guards, female staff and panic buttons linked directly to Delhi Police’s 112 emergency system.

What are the 'Ladies Special' routes?

The 30 'Ladies Special' trips run across 15 high-demand routes, connecting hotspots like Nehru Place, AIIMS, Connaught Place, ITO, Karol Bagh and Kashmere Gate. And the 26 'University Ladies Special' (U-SPL) trips across 13 routes to connect colleges like Hindu, Ramjas, Gargi, Lady Shri Ram and Hansraj.

When will the new women-only buses run?

The buses run during peak morning and evening hours, with departures between roughly 8 and 9am, and 4:30 and 6:15pm.

What about security on the buses?

The security aspect of these buses is no afterthought: women police personnel, home guards and female staff will be on board. There are also panic buttons directly connected to Delhi Police’s 112 emergency system. 

What's next on the plan?

Delhi didn’t stop at the ladies. Some 200 electric buses have joined the electric bus fleet, pushing the city’s electric bus count past 5,000. There’s also a new Delhi-Karnal electric bus service, plus a public EV charging station at Rajghat with four massive 240-kilowatt chargers. The government’s big-ticket target, though, is 14,000 buses by 2028-29.

Basically, Delhi is trying to swap diesel fumes for electric hums — and make the commute a little safer, cleaner and considerably less chaotic.