Commuters pay Re. 1 to Rs. 5 extra because of the additional distances the buses now cover
Here’s another shocker from the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC). After increasing bus ticket fares last November, MTC is looking at another revision in fares. This time, diversions due to ongoing Metro Rail work are to blame, an official says.
Irked commuters ask why they should pay an extra fare just because the MTC bus is taking a detour. “On Monday, I boarded bus route 21 from Royapettah. Earlier, I paid Rs. 5 to go up to High Court stop but today, the conductor asked me to shell out Rs. 6,” says T. Joseph, a resident of Nettukuppam near Ennore.
When Joseph and other passengers questioned the conductor, the latter merely shrugged saying it was the MTC administration’s decision. “Now the bus goes through Pattulos Road and then reaches Anna Salai. They say more diesel is used as a result of the roundabout route,” says Mr. Jospeh.
Similar was the experience of Chitkala Anand, who boarded bus route 54 from Simpson to reach Little Mount. “I was asked to pay Rs. 13. Earlier, the ticket charge for the same distance was Rs. 11. When other passengers questioned the conductor and driver, they said the hike was due to increase in the number of stages,” she said.
Commuters claim that ticket fares have increased from anywhere between Rs. 1 and Rs. 5 based on whether the bus is ordinary, deluxe or AC Volvo. “There is an increase of fare at every stage, which is typically 1.5 kilometres. Due to Metro Rail work, the number of stages has increased. For instance, now there are additional stages with halts at Express Avenue and Anand Theatre,” said an MTC official.
He said the fare would be high only one way. “Many commuters keep questioning the conductors and there have been some problems. The fare is based on kilometres, so if the bus travels an additional kilometre, the fare will also increase,” he said.
However passengers are not happy as they said they were not informed about the hike in advance. “Why should the commuters bear the brunt because MTC is taking a diverted route? Those who commute by buses are not rich people. Most are daily-wage workers for whom every penny matters,” said T. Ravikumar, president of All India Rail and Bus Passengers Welfare Association.
Keywords: Metro diversions, MTC fare, Metro Rail work, CMRL
MTC Project should absorb this cost. This should not be more and the
burden should not be loaded on commuters. If it is not planned, they
should amend the plan not to absorb the cost.
Government Firms like MTC, should be given a limited free hand devoid of political interference in fixing their fair ticket prices. Price is an essential quality of a free market economy that India is envisioning to become. If we remain as a welfare state like how we used to be, we can continue to support our free lunches for everyone programme with borrowed money from future generations. Now that the fares are decently market priced, the focus should be on giving a clean, worry free and safe commute experience. Our drivers and conductors should be given a dose of the Courtesy pill. We need to increase the Bus Frequency and completely eradicate over-crowding and foot boaridng.
MTC must be commended for coming out with innovative ideas to revised the bus fares. They have definitely a reason, for, the buses have to take a detour to reach the destination because of metro-rail work. This apart, they have different rates for buses running in the same route. People still tolerate the tantrums of the MTC. while on this, I must cite an example where the MTC has been forced to take a detour just to ensure a newly-laid flyover. Yes; I refer to the Usman Road flyover in T Nagar. To ensure that the flyover is put to good use, the MTC has been told to take diversion, unnecessarily.
It is ridiculous on the part of MTC to revise the fares.
Now a days "HIKE" has become the Shocker word for the Indians as it hits the basic needs of the middle/low class people.Once the pertrol hike and then groceries and finally Transport.Better way is to ride bicycles which are eco-friendly whcih is a good methodology that should be inhabited by the people in the present situation.
Yes its true that frequent fare hikes shake the budgets of low income homes. However, people need to realise that there are no free lunches in life. Any facility that is created for us involves costs. Everybody is paying here. Some people pay for transport, some through income tax / sales tax / wealth tax / octroi....the list goes on. But atleast facilities are being created in Chennai. People should attempt to read about civic amenities in the cities in other states where a lot of money is collected but nothing comes up. Or maybe a few forever-work-in-process projects or politicians statues. Its hard but there is no other way. And if you think you can get free laptop / bike / tv / electricity by choosing one party over the other, think again. Better a party that works in developing amenities for the people than one indulging in running the state like legacy / family property. And in all these development works, we also have our contributions to make.
It is nothing new. It is normal to hike the fare to accommodate the extra distance travelled by the bus and it has been happening for ages. The complaint is probably raised by someone who has not ever travelled by a PTC or an MTC bus in Madras. For example, when Village Road (near Sterling Road-College Road), Arcot Road (before the North Usman Road-Mahalingapuram junction) were made one-way in the 90s, the bus fare increased by one stage appropriate to what was prevalent then. It is a normal practice anywhere. Terming the increase this time as unfair or illegal is absolute ignorance or lack of knowledge of facts. Also linking this fare with the big hike that happened in November 2011 is also not proper. The opposition to that increase in bus fare hike was all right though the Govt. gave the inevitable reasons that led to the big hike in November 2011. It is the first-timers or those unaware of the calculation parameters who complain.
Temporary inconvenience that we as public need to bear... for a greater
cause i.e. metro rail... which will serve lakhs of ppl every day
MTC, If someone questions your ticket pricing, please send them to
Bangalore. They will consider fortunate to be living and travelling in
Chennai. My dear chennai ppl - I pay double the fare in Bangalore for
the same distance traveled as in Chennai.
Wasnt the transport government aware about the diversion , these are just psuedo explanation for increasing the fare . they are actually not keen about the normal passers , as they felt demand is overwhelming they want to use the oppurtunity .
For similar tariff in bangalore, buses are good in quality and looks clean and elegant. Look at buses at chennai, they are worth nothing, why do we even need to pay fare to travel in these filthy, unsafe buses
Not only the increase is the pain! But the treatment meted out to the passengers by the conductors is still worse. Some conductors simply have a look and go with their work! some will pass a loose comment on the commuter who asks the reason for the higher fare. Some will direct us to go Amma! Very few literally in single percentage of the staff will answer very politely pleading their inability to do any thing in this matter. Why not the MTC make an announcement either in the Media or alongwith the places wherever diverions are notified by the police about the unavoidable fare incease due to diversions. It is not the question of paying money alone but the insult the commuter receives from the crew on accunt of this is worse
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