New Delhi, October 11: A day after fares of Delhi Metro were hiked, it is likely to be reduced. The Urban Development Ministry is likely to reduce the fares in two slabs — 5-12 km and 12-21 km — by Rs 5 each, sources said on Wednesday.
The ministry is likely to ask the fare fixation committee (FCC) of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to consider the proposal, India Today reported. The DMRC may introduced new fare schemes for children and senior citizens, the sources added.
The second fare hike came into effect from October 10 wherein there has been an increase of Rs 10 for all travels beyond 5 km.
The maximum fare, for journeys beyond 32 km, is Rs 60. The revised fare structure is: 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. Also read: Pay Rs 3,000 Crore For 5 Years to Avert Metro Fare Hike: Centre Tells AAP Govt
The smart card users continue to enjoy a 10 per cent discount on each ride. They also get an additional discount of 10 per cent while travelling during off-peak hours, that is from beginning of services till 8 AM, between 12 PM and 5 PM and from 9 PM to end of services.
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. Also read: Cong blasts AAP, BJP for ‘street fight’ over metro fare hike
The new fares are applicable across five corridors — Blue, Yellow, Red, Green and Violet — of the metro that crisscrosses the national capital, with the total network length currently standing at around 213 km.
When the Delhi Metro had started operations on December 25, 2002, the minimum fare was Rs 4 and maximum was Rs 8.
With inputs from PTI
