The trial run of the Delhi government's last-mile connectivity Mohalla bus service started on the Munirka-Vasant Kunj circular route on Friday. Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot flagged off the Mohalla bus, an official statement said.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA from R K Puram, Parmila Tokas, was also present during the event, it said.

"The Munirka-Vasant Kunj route will enhance connectivity to educational institutions, hospitals and commercial hubs, making travel easier for thousands of residents and students," Gahlot said.

By improving last-mile connectivity, we are not just making travel more efficient and convenient for Delhiites but also reducing reliance on private vehicles, which is a significant step towards building a cleaner, greener city, the minister added.

According to the statement, the 10.8 km-long route starts from the Vasant Vihar Depot and covers key locations such as Ambience Mall, DLF on Nelson Mandela Road, the Vasant Kunj Institutional Area, various sectors of Vasant Kunj, IIMC on Aruna Asaf Ali Road, IIT, Ber Sarai Village, Spinal Injury Hospital, and Fortis Hospital, among others.

The trial period for this new circular route will last one week, the statement reads.

The trials are already underway on at least four other routes -- Pradhan Enclave Pushta to Majlis Park Metro Station, Akshardham Metro Station to Mayur Vihar Phase III Paper Market, Kailash Colony Metro Station to PNB Gitanjali Colony, and Lok Kalyan Marg metro station to Vasant Vihar Metro station.

The Mohalla Bus Scheme aims at providing feeder bus services to the Delhiites around their homes through nine-meter-long electric buses. The AAP government aims to operate 2,180 Mohalla buses by 2025. These buses will run on congested roads with limited width in areas where 12-meter buses face manoeuvring challenges.

These buses have 23 passenger seats and a standing capacity of 13 passengers. With 45 minutes of charging, they travel more than 200 km.

Mohalla buses are of green colour for easy identification and as many as 25 % of the seats (six) in these buses are pink and reserved exclusively for women.

The fare in the Mohalla buses will be the same as that of the Delhi government's air-conditioned buses. It will be Rs 10, 15, 20 and 25. The women can avail free travel in these buses through the pink pass.