In a "gift" to lakhs of senior citizens on the occassion of World Elders Day, the Delhi government today announced for them monthly DTC bus passes on payment of nominal Rs 50 for travelling in non-AC buses and Rs 150 for travelling in AC buses.

There will be no income ceiling for issuance of the passes to senior citizens aged 60 and above. "The monthly passes will be issued to all senior citizens in the city and they will only have to provide proof of age to get it," Transport Minister Arvinder Singh Lovely said, adding the passes would be issued from today. He said the scheme is a gift to the senior citizens on the occassion of 'World Elders Day'.

Lovely also announced extending free travel to blind persons in air-conditioned buses also in Delhi and NCR region. Till now blind persons could travel free only in non-AC buses. Noting that financial health of DTC has improved significantly after induction of the low floor buses, he said the daily average revenue collection has increased to Rs 3.5 crore against Rs 75 lakh a few months back.

He said transport department was trying very hard to further improve the services of the DTC and as part of the efforts, global positioning system has been installed in all the low floor buses to track their movement and ensure adherence of the time table.