Commuters likely to switch to alternate modes of transport like BEST buses and autorickshaws if the new metro fare hike is implemented.
Mumbaikars are unhappy with the Supreme Court ruling allowing Reliance Infrastructure led Mumbai Metro One Private Limited (MMOPL) to charge fares of Rs 10-110. Many of them are likely to switch to alternate modes of transport like BEST buses and autorickshaws. Metro was seen as an alternative to decongest the busy Andheri-Ghatkopar corridor which witnesses heavy traffic during peak hours. They also demanded that the government should intervene in this matter and make the Metro service affordable to the common man. MMRDA commissioner UPS Madan said, “The MMRDA will file a petition against the proposed fare hike in the Bombay High Court.”
The Supreme Court had formed a committee to look after the fare hike issue. The committee had proposed that the fares should be hiked to Rs 110 from Rs 40. The recommendations were made after considering the reports of four expert committees appointed by the central government earlier. The apex court has already given a nod for the fare hike. After the fare revision, commuters may have to shell out Rs10 each on every station, of approximately one-kilometre distance.
When AV spoke to Saurav Shukla, a Borivali resident who is a regular Metro commuter about the proposed fare hike he said, “If the increased fares comes into effect then only rich people can afford metro services and it won’t be able to recover its operational costs. We will have to switch to other modes of transport.”
Aarti a life insurance advisor said, “If the fares are revised then travelling in metro will become expensive as one will have to incur Rs 220 for a two way journey. How can common people shell out this kind of money? Ambani is playing with people’s emotions. People travelling from Dombivli and Kalyan board the metro from Ghatkopar to travel for Andheri everyday. Now they will have to pay Rs 140 to Rs 160.”
Subhir Rajan said, “Nothing surprising from Ambani controlled Metro. Learn from Delhi Metro. Why haven’t they increased ticket rates?”
“The common man won’t be able to travel in metro if the new fares are implemented. Hence the authorities should rethink about their decision to hike fares” Sushil Singh, a Kandivali resident.
“People should come together to protest against the fare hike. The MMOPL can’t cause inconvenience to the common man by increasing ticket rates” said Sudeep Shah.
“After the proposed fare hike questions are being raised whether metro and mono rail services will benefit the common man? How will the common man travel in metro if fares hike is implemented on a regular basis?” Shruti Nadkarni, a Borivali resident.
“The metro has managed to make profits after it became operational. The officials should rethink about the fare hike” said Ritesh Arya.
“The common man should stop travelling in metro for protesting against the fare hike. Thus metro too will go the mono rail which has become more of a joy ride for commuters instead of an alternative mode of transportation” said Vaibhav Chawla from Dahisar.
“Reliance is only taking the common man for a ride by revising fares. The government must intervene in this matter and ask the firm to reconsider the fare hike” said Subash Dhawne.
The Mumbai Metro One has decided to continue with the existing fares of Rs 10, 20, 30 and 40 on the 11.4 km Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar corridor till end-October and has sought the Maharashtra government’s financial assistance in this regard.
