New Delhi, Nov 10 (IANS) Under immense public pressure on the hike in bus fares, the Delhi government Tuesday decided to extend journey for the first slab of fare from 3 to 4 km, and reduce the monthly pass price for poor families from Rs.800 to Rs.500.
Fares of buses in Delhi, which were increased last month, had affected hundreds of thousands of poor and lower income group commuters as their expenditure shot up by 50 to 100 percent. The minimum fare was increased from Rs.3 to Rs.5, the Rs.7 ticket was upped to Rs.10 and the Rs.10 ticket hiked to Rs.15.

After the fare revision last month, people were shelling out Rs.10 for travelling even small distances. Some people who paid Rs.3 earlier for a journey were forced to pay Rs.10 for the same distance.

“The cabinet has decided to provide relief to short distance commuters and further granted a substantial relief to BPL (Below Poverty Line) passengers keeping in view their economic status. The cabinet has decided to extend journey under first slab from 3 to 4 km for all passengers in non-AC buses,” Chief Minister Dikshit told media persons after the cabinet meeting.

“The ticket for the first slab will remain Rs.5 and Rs.10 will be charged for a journey between 4 to 10 km,” she added.

“The family members of those residents who are in possession of requisite BPL certification as approved by the competent authority in the Food and Civil Supply Department have also been granted relief in their monthly DTC passes,” according to an official statement here.

“Their monthly pass for non-AC buses will cost Rs. 500 only as it has been reduced from Rs.800. It will encourage BPL families to opt for monthly passes as it will entitle them journeys as per their requirement in buses throughout the month,” the statement added.

“The new rates will come into force after issue of necessary notification. It will benefit most of BPL families who belong to labour class and commute by buses,” it added.

The DTC’s over 3,600 buses carry around two million people daily. By March 2010, ahead of the Commonwealth Games, DTC is expected to add 3,500 more buses to its fleet.

The Delhi government has planned for nearly 11,000 buses by October 2010, when the Games begin.

The notorious Blueline buses number some 2,700, down from 5,500 in 2007, when their phasing out started. They will be completely phased out by March 2010.