After two-hour meet, DMRC says will go ahead with fare hike

After the DMRC announced its decision to go ahead with the hike, Deputy CM Manish Sisodia tweeted: “The BJP government has remained adamant. Five Delhi government members had opposed but 11 members of the Centre rejected Delhi government proposal to defer hike”.

A source from the Union Urban Development Ministry said, “The DMRC Board met and considered the proposal of CM Kejriwal to defer the Metro fare hike… Nominee directors of the Delhi government conveyed the desire of the CM to postpone the hike and set up a new FFC. The Board was informed that under Section 37 of the Metro Railways (Operation and Maintenance) Act, 2002, recommendations of the FFC are binding on Metro rail authorities.” What is fair in metro fares?

The source added, “The Board noted that it does not have the competence to consider/defer implementation of the recommendations of FFC. DMRC board refused to interfere in the matter of Metro fare hike. It said it has no power to interfere with FFC recommendations.”

Since the first phase of fare hike in May this year, the DMRC said different rates would apply for peak and non-peak hours — providing some monetary relief for smart card users. The non-peak hours, as determined by DMRC, are from “start of revenue services to 8 am”, “noon to 5 pm” and “9 pm to closing of revenue services”. Opinion: Why is Centre insisting on hiking Delhi Metro fares?

Until Monday, a commuter travelling a distance of more than 32 km paid Rs 50. But with the new fare hike, a token will cost Rs 60. During peak hours, a smart card user will pay Rs 54; during non-peak hours, it will come down to Rs 48.

“The DMRC is continuing its 10 per cent discount for smart card users. Seventy per cent of Metro commuters use smart cards,” a DMRC official said.