Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta recently announced the revival of the U-Special (Universities Special) bus service, which provided fixed routes to various
university campuses before being discontinued in March 2020. The announcement has sparked mixed reactions between nostalgic alumni and pragmatic current students. For many Delhi University alumni, the U-Special buses were once a game-changer, providing college rides that were quicker and more enjoyable. They associate fond memories, convenience, and reliability with this service. However, the current batch of students had no idea these buses ever existed, it was their first time hearing about them. Present-day students are split between excitement and doubt about the service's practicality in Delhi's heavy traffic conditions. "It's good to see that the government is thinking about us youngsters. But won't using U-Special buses in this day and age, when Delhi traffic is at its worst on most days, be a challenge in itself? While the upgrade feels promising, the real test will be its consistent implementation," said Arnav Gandhi, a third-year BCom (Hons) student at Hansraj College. Those unfamiliar with the original service are drawn to the enhanced features of the revived buses. "I had no idea that U-Special buses ever existed. I travel to North Campus, and for my daily commute I need to change metros. So this development really feels like a fresh, exciting twist to my routine. The fact that the new version comes with AC, ambient lighting, and music makes it sound like a fun ride while being practical at the same time," said Aanya Singh, a final-year Economics (Hons) student at Daulat Ram College. While some students view the revival as an opportunity for less congested travel, others still believe that the Metro remains the most reliable choice. The true judgment of this comeback will be known when the buses begin rolling and students discover whether this "blast from the past" can really keep up with the demands of today's commute.
