Commuters feel pinch as Metro travel gets costlier after eight yrs

It is 9 am at the Rajiv Chowk Metro station and the rush is no different from any other weekday. Trains pull in every two minutes, spilling out a stream of hurried commuters while an equally restless crowd of passengers pushes its way inside. For lakhs of Delhiites, the Metro remains the lifeline that connects distant corners of the NCR, from Dwarka to Noida and Saket to Gurugram.

But Monday morning carried a different mood — the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation’s (DMRC) first fare hike in eight years came into effect, and while the increase is marginal, ranging from Re 1 to Rs 4, many passengers say it matters.

“I already live so far from my college, making Metro my only mode of commute. With limited budget to go about my day, even a single rupee change counts,” said Sujata Saha, a student from Bengaluru who has recently moved to Vasant Kunj and travels daily to Noida. For her, the added cost is not just about a one-time journey but the cumulative burden of repeated trips.

For office-goers, the pinch is similar. Abhishek, a Noida resident who commutes to Gurugram every day, calculated the impact in minutes. “My one-way trip costs me more than an hour in travel time and around Rs 60 in fares. Now, I’ll be paying even more every month. People say it’s just Re 1 or Rs 4, but multiply that by 50-60 trips a month, and it adds up.”

The hike may seem minor on paper, but for those travelling long distances daily, it digs deeper into already tight budgets.

Vinod, who works in Saket and lives in Tilak Nagar, said: “By the end of the month, it’s already tough to manage household expenses. Now, I’ll have to set aside more money just for travel. It’s a burden, even if small.”

Students feel particularly singled out. Aakansha, a North Campus student who commutes from Uttam Nagar, voiced her frustration, saying, “Without any student discounts, it matters. The money I get from home each month is fixed for Metro travel. Now, I’ll need to ask my parents for more. The government had promised free Metro rides for students, but instead we are getting increased rates.”

Swaara, another young commuter, said, “These charges may seem nominal if we look at them as a one-time thing, but for people who travel daily and spend hours in the Metro, it is heavy on the wallet.”

Not everyone, however, is critical. Some commuters see the revision as inevitable. Pranav, who travels weekly from Dwarka to Greater Noida, said, “The price increase isn’t that much, plus the change has come after a long time. It is okay.”

Another commuter, Samyukta, echoed similar views, “If the extra money goes into maintaining and improving the Metro, then it is worth it. After all, the system has changed the way Delhi travels.”

The DMRC, anticipating criticism, explained that the revision was long overdue. “The 4th Fare Fixation Committee had recommended a revision of the fares through an automatic fare revision formula. This revision has now been done in line with statutory provisions,” the corporation said in a statement.

It cited multiple financial strains — heavy losses during the Covid-19 period, repayment obligations to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the rising costs of refurbishing trains, maintaining civil assets and paying salaries.

“Without any increase in passenger fares in the last eight years, the financial condition of the corporation was under considerable strain,” the DMRC said.

As per the new fare structure, passengers will now pay Rs 11 for 0-2 km, Rs 21 for 2-5 km, Rs 32 for 5-12 km, Rs 43 for 12-21 km, Rs 54 for 21-32 km, and Rs 64 for journeys beyond 32 km. On Sundays and national holidays, a discounted slab will apply, with the maximum fare capped at Rs 54.

Smart card users will continue to get a 10 per cent discount on every trip and an additional 10 per cent discount during off-peak hours — before 8 am, between 12–5 pm, and after 9 pm. The DMRC hopes this will encourage staggered travel and ease peak hour congestion.