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Bus, auto fares may be hiked
The Delhi government on Tuesday asked the transport department and Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) to work out a new fare structure they would want to implement in buses, auto-rickshaws and taxis. Atul Mathur reports.
The Delhi government on Tuesday asked the transport department and Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) to work out a new fare structure they would want to implement in buses, auto-rickshaws and taxis.
The decision was taken in wake of the recent hike in CNG prices. With an increase of Rs 2.90, CNG now costs Rs 38.35 per kilo in the Capital. Delhi's public transport system — about 7,000 DTC and cluster buses, 55,000 auto-rickshaws and 13,000 taxis — run on CNG.
Sources said Delhi transport minister Arvinder Singh had called a review meeting with the transport department and DTC on Tuesday. He asked the two departments to suggest 2-3 different slabs and fare structures that could be implemented.
Once the proposals are ready, the government will form a committee to scrutinise them suggest the best possible way.
The Delhi government had increased passenger fares in DTC buses in November 2009. Auto-rickshaw and taxi fares were revised in June 2010.
According to auto-rickshaw drivers’ unions — who are pressing for a hike — CNG prices have increased from Rs 21.90 per kilo to Rs 38.35 per kilo since the fare was revised two years ago.
The unions had protested several times in the past few months to force the government to revise auto and taxi fares.
The DTC had also moved a proposal to increase passenger fares in order to reduce operational losses.
The government, however, had rejected the proposal.
Cluster bus operators, who run orange-coloured private buses, have also been demanding a fare hike, sources said.
“The fare hike is just imminent. The operational costs of both buses and auto-rickshaws have gone up tremendously,” a senior transport department official said, requesting anonymity.
Transport Minister Arvinder Singh said there was a discussion about CNG prices in the meeting but denied any move on fare revision.
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