DMRC has now reduced the fares on the use of smart cards despite a revision of metro fares
The Delhi Metro just increased fares across all its routes except the Airport Line beyond five kilometres by Rs 10, a hike which comes just five months after the previous one.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation or DMRC has now reduced the fares on the use of smart cards despite a revision of metro fares. Those carrying a smart card and travelling during the off-peak hours - between 6 am to 8 am, 12 pm to 5 pm and 9 pm onwards will be able to avail a 20 per cent discount.
In another move, the DMRC has defined 'peak hour' as the time when a passenger enters (tabs the smart card on the system) the system.
For example: If the in time is off peak then the trip is as per off peak charges even if one exits a metro station during a time zone that falls in peak hour category. In a statement, the DMRC says, "we hope this will encourage commuters to plan and travel in the most judicious manner thereby reaping the benefits of discounted fares."
Kashmira Gupta, a retired teacher who now works with a NGO, travels from Govindpuri to Kashmere Gate thrice a week. This is the only time she opts for the Metro because it is faster and less polluting she says. "Because I am not a regular, I never thought of getting a metro card but now with fares so high, each discount counts. I used a metro card for the first time today. An added advantage she says, "no more long queues at the ticket window."
70 per cent of Metro commuters are smart card users. The revised fares will be applicable on five lines Blue, Yellow, Red, Green and Violet. Fares will remain the same for The Airport Express Line.