The transport department of Delhi is claimed to have floated a global tender for acquiring 2,000 buses. Of these, some are expected to be battery-operated. The tender or expression of interest (EoI), which came out recently, is claimed to aim at identifying prospective bidders by January 2016. Once the technical specifications are met, the financial bids will be invited. The process is expected to be completed by the first half of 2016. While the EoI is being done with assistance from DIMTS, the 2,000 buses for which the tender has been floated include 12, 22, 34 and 70-seater buses. The 70-seater buses are expected to be vestibular in nature, a first for the city of Delhi. The technical specifications for the tender is claimed to include timely delivery, regular upkeep of the fleet provided by the manufacturer, support for maintenance, as well as training of technical and non-technical staff of DTC. DTC has been trying to procure new buses for the last two years. A clause in its contract, which puts the onus of maintenance on the companies, is said to have been a deterrent. It was done away with.