Metro fare hike draws mixed reactions, commuters ask about better last-mile connectivity

Some commuters were happy with the fare revision hoping that it would translate into increased frequency in services but several others said that the hike must have come after providing better last-mile connectivity.

The Metro fare hike has evoked mixed reactions from Delhiites with some welcoming the move and others questioning the timing of the decision.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) board accepted on Monday a recommendation to increase the minimum passenger fare from Rs 8 to Rs 10 and the maximum fare from Rs 30 to Rs 50(Saumya Khandelwal/HT PHOTO)

Some commuters were happy with the fare revision hoping that it would translate into increased frequency in services but several others said that the hike must have come after providing better last-mile connectivity. Some even said that they may now switch to private transport as the cost difference would not be much.

Samit Khanna, a resident of Sarita Vihar, said: “I regularly commute from Jasola Vihar to my office in Arjangarh for which I pay Rs 30. The commute from home to Metro station and from the Metro station to office in an auto costs around Rs 150.”

“For the same journey I will now have to spend more than Rs 200 as maximum fare has been increased from Rs 30 to Rs 50. I might now switch to car as the cost difference would not be much,” he said.

Several people living in areas such as Vasant Kunj, Model Town, RK Puram, and Vasundhara Enclave said they would not mind paying extra if the Metro would have also addressed the issues such as last-mile connectivity, better integration with buses and women safety, especially during late night hours.

Swati Juneja, who lives in Vasundhara Enclave, said, “I do not have any problem in paying the increased price but the Metro authorities should provide feeder bus service in the area.”

Several people, especially in South Delhi colonies such as Malviya Nagar, Green Park and Katwaria Sarai said that metro feeder bus service does not operate after 8pm as it does not fetch desirable returns for operators.

Katwaria Sarai resident, Divya Sansanwal, said, “Erratic schedule of DTC buses and fleecing auto-rickshaws who charge exorbitantly during night hours makes the situation worse.”

Delhi Metro has a network of 213-km and another 140 km will be added by the end of this year when phase III becomes operational. The third phase is likely to give some relief to the residents as several areas will have better Metro connectivity.