Thaindian News

New Delhi, Nov 11 (IANS) Almost a week after DTC hiked the fares of its bus service, Delhi Metro Wednesday announced a 36 percent increase in its fares.
The increase in metro fares, coming after a gap of five years, will come in to force Friday.

The minimum fare (0-2 km) was increased from Rs.6 to Rs.8, while the maximum fare (over 39 km) was increased from Rs.22 to Rs.30, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) announced. The rest of the slabs will also increase accordingly.

“The suggestions of third fare fixation committee will come in force by Nov 13. As per the revised fare, the minimum fare has been increased from Rs.6 to Rs. 8 and the maximum fare has been increased from Rs.22 to Rs.30,” Delhi Metro Rail Corporation’s Director (Finance) R.N. Joshi told reporters here.

The move comes after Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) increased its bus fares last week, irking commuters. On an average, over 850,000 people commute daily by Delhi Metro.

According to Joshi, the necessity of revision in fares arose due to expansion in network from 65 km to 165 km, rise in cost of components and increase in the Consumer Price Index.

The DMRC and Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) are also considering a common ticketing device for the Metro and the buses.

“We do not feel that the ridership will decrease because of price hike. The revised fare would not be a burden on the commuters keeping in mind comfort level and quality of service provided to the public.

“Moreover, DMRC has got huge debt repayment commitments in the ensuing years. Its interest and loan repayment shall be in the range of Rs.500 crore (Rs.5 billion) to Rs.600 crore (Rs.6 billion) per year after the opening of Phase-II sections,” Joshi added.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Metro has placed an order for 400 new coaches and 130 new trains.

“We know that the Kashmere Gate section is facing lots of problems. The committee is aware of that so we are going to add two more coaches to the current four-coach trains. We are looking towards a public-private partnership on the new Gurgaon stretch,” Joshi added.

Earlier, DMRC increased Metro fares in 2003 and 2004.