Metro users in the city had mixed reaction to the new fare structure implemented on Wednesday, two days after the increase was announced by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).
The new structure starts at ₹10 and goes up to ₹50. Those carrying smart cards and travelling during off-peak hours — between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m., 12 p.m. and 5 p.m., and 9 p.m. onwards — will be eligible for 20% discount. On Sundays and national holidays, rides will be cheaper. The tariff is set to increase further from October, with the maximum fare going up to ₹60.
‘Services the same’
Having paid more for her morning commute on Wednesday, 54-year-old Suchitra Gupta said the hike seemed unfair as services haven’t improved. “If the government is trying to encourage more people to opt for public transport, why make it more expensive? Before Wednesday, commuters from all economic backgrounds could afford it. Now, many people may go back to buses or other alternative modes of transport,” said Ms. Gupta.
Some disappointed commuters said they would explore the option of using app-based cab services since they end up paying for last-mile connectivity as well.
App-based cabs
Kirti Sharma, a 23-year-old professional who lives in south Delhi’s Saket and works in Noida, said app-based cab services would probably cost her less after the fare hike.
“I pay ₹30 from my house to reach the metro station, and then another ₹40 to reach office from Noida Sector 16 metro station. Thanks to the fare hike, I will have to pay around ₹40 just for the metro commute. Pool services of app-based cabs will probably cost the same, if not less,” Ms. Sharma said.
Ankur Kashyap, a 20-year-old bank employee, said he paid ₹30 as opposed to ₹15 for his commute from Shahdara to Indraprastha on Wednesday.
“The price has increased exorbitantly and will impact only the lower middle class. This decision should be revoked if possible,” he said.
However, other commuters justified the hike.
“The DMRC plans to expand and they obviously need revenue to do it. If they have increased the price, people should bear with them because ultimately it’s for everyone’s good,” said 24-year-old Ayushi Shukla.
‘Cut them some slack’
Echoing her sentiments, 40-year-old Manish Arora, a management professional, said: “The fares have been hiked after so many years. Let’s cut them some slack. The DMRC also needs to earn money and it’s not as if prices have been increased to ₹100 for a ride.”
Commuters who use the service occasionally, like 35-year-old media professional Parveen Kumar, felt the price hike wouldn’t be a problem.
“But for those who travel regularly, it’s indeed an issue. We switched from buses to the metro because it saved time and travel was convenient. Many people might go back to travelling by bus after the price hike,” said Mr. Kumar.
Usha Krishnan, a human rights lawyer, said that price hike was a very sensitive issue that affects people across the board.
“The hike has to be brought about in a controlled manner to ensure that it doesn’t pinch the daily commuter. Schemes should be brought in to ensure that the metro doesn’t become too expensive for the masses,” she added.
Fare hike after 7 years
Announcing the fare hike, the DMRC had said it was being done after a gap of seven years. The corporation had maintained that the hike was crucial towards sustaining its operations against the backdrop of rising operational costs like increase in power tariffs, growing manpower bills and maintenance charges.
This is fourth time since the beginning of its operations in 2002 that the Metro has revised its fares. When it started operations on December 25, 2002, the minimum fare was ₹4 and maximum was ₹8.
