At a time when cities in Germany are contemplating offering public transport services free of charge, in the city the Metro Rail fares are one of the highest in the country.
Transport experts note that it is important that fares of public transportation are not seen as profit-earning instruments.
K.N. Krishnamurthy, chairman of the Indian Road Transport Development Association, said the Metro can be priced higher for conveniences such as air-conditioning that it offers, but not to the extent that it currently charges the commuters. “They could bring it down by 20% to ensure more people travel on this system,” he said.
Another transportation expert said authorities should not aim at recovering their investment through fares paid by the public.
Instead they should focus on increasing their revenue by renting out space for retail outlets or offices. “When, across the world, many governments are trying to make public transport free, we should at least keep it as cheap as possible,” he added.
The Traffic and Transportation Forum in Chennai has organised a signature campaign urging the Chennai Metro Rail to reduce the fares.
V. Subramaniam of the forum said they had collected about 1,500 signatures from residents in areas such as Nanganallur, Madipakkam, Alandur, and Keelkattalai.
V. Rama Rao of the forum said, “A labourer or a poor person can’t afford to travel in this system. If we are calling it public transport, then all sections of society should be able to travel by it. Now, only the rich and the upper middle classes are using this system. We have been constantly requesting them to reduce the fares.”
