Delhi Metro ride to pinch your pocket; fares rise by up to Rs 10 from today

1. Delhi Metro ride to pinch your pocket; fares rise by up to Rs 10 from today Commuters will have to pay Rs 5-10 extra, no change in the fares of Airport Express Line The increased metro fares will be applicable from Tuesday as scheduled, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) announced on Monday. The Delhi metro fare hike, which comes barely five months within the last one, will affect every commuter who travels beyond 5 km. The maximum fare, for journeys beyond 32 km, will now be Rs 60. This is the second fare hike this year as proposed by the Fare Fixation Committee which was formed last year. The increased charges were to be applied in two phases - the first hike was already done in May this year. The revised fare structure will be: up to 2 km — Rs 10, 2 to 5 km — Rs 20, 5 to 12 km — Rs 30, 12 to 21 km — Rs 40, 21 to 32 km — Rs 50 and for journeys beyond 32 km — Rs 60. Barring the minimum fare of Rs 10 for the distance of 0-2 km that will remain the same, (economy today) commuters will have to pay Rs 5-10 extra for distance travelled further as per kilometre scheme set by the transporter. While commuters pay Rs 15 for the distance traveled between 2-5 km, now they will have to pay Rs 20. The maximum fare has been increased to Rs 60 as compared to current Rs 50. Smart card users will continue to get 10 per cent discount, so would those who happen to use metro during non-peak hours - between the start of the metro service till 8 am, between 12 pm and 5 pm, and from 9 pm till the close of service. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) made the announcement after its highest decision-making body, the DMRC board, refused to "interfere" in the matter, saying it has no power to change the recommendations of the fare fixation committee (FCC), which had proposed the steep hike. The board had met around 8 pm following Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's insistence that the decision be withheld. The DMRC had been batting for a hike citing "losses" in view of loans and rise in input costs such as power tariff among others. The hike has been vociferously opposed by the Delhi government which accused the transporter of inefficiency and demanded that hike be withheld. The Delhi Assembly also passed a resolution on Monday seeking that the hike in fares be withheld....Read More