Cost of DU bus pass hiked after nearly 48 years

“I was a student of North Campus and those days a student’s bus pass would cost us Rs 12 on all routes,” reminisces SB Biswas, a retired professor of Zakir Hussain College, who passed out of Delhi University in 1961, reports Joyeeta Ghosh.

“I was a student of North Campus and those days a student’s bus pass would cost us Rs 12 on all routes,” reminisces SB Biswas, a retired professor of Zakir Hussain College, who passed out of Delhi University in 1961.

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This Monday, nearly 48 years later, a DU student’s experience would have been similar to Biswas. Till Transport Minister Arvinder Singh Lovely announced that the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC)’s buss pass fare would be increased from Rs 12.50 per month to Rs 100. The pass, renewed monthly enables DU students to travel free (on production of the pass.)

The government’s decision will bring in Rs 400 crore yearly revenue.

Students did not appear too happy with the decision.

“I study in a south Delhi college and stay in Noida. I take the bus to college everyday. The hike will definitely make a dent in my pocket money,” said Ekta Uprety, a III-year student.

Manoj Choudhury, President of Delhi University Students Union said, “This is totally illegal and we vehemently oppose this kind of a hike. The student community which comprise students from various economic backgrounds will be hit the most. We are planning a protest rally against this unjustified increase in bus fare.”

Defending the decision a DTC official said, “The government is trying to provide better infrastructure in form of better buses to the citizens of Delhi and this is step towards that. Though the purchasing power of citizens have increased a lot the fares had remained the same.”