DTC revises lowest fare slab

The Delhi cabinet on Tuesday extended the first slab of the new bus fare structure from three to four kilometres, giving relief to a large number of commuters.

The Delhi cabinet on Tuesday extended the first slab of the new bus fare structure from three to four kilometres, giving relief to a large number of commuters.

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That means, commuters paying the minimum fare of Rs 5 can now travel up to four kilometres instead of three.

The move is expected to benefit almost four lakh passengers. DTC officials said about 46 per cent of over eight lakh bus passengers undertake short distance journeys and buy minimum fare tickets.

DTC officials said there was no change in other slabs.

Passengers will have to pay Rs 10 for travelling 4-10 km and Rs 15 for a journey exceeding 10 km. The fare of the air-conditioned buses and seasonal passes in general, students and senior citizens will also remain the same.

However, the cabinet decided to introduce a new category of monthly passes at Rs 500 a month. These passes will be given to the people falling in the below poverty line (BPL) category.

The decisions were taken in an emergency meeting of the Delhi cabinet at the residence of Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.

The revision in the fare will be notified by the Lieutenant Governor on Wednesday and will come into effect from Thursday.

“There was a concern that the bus fare hike had affected the poor people the most. For them, we have introduced this new category of bus passes,” Delhi Transport Minister Arvinder Singh Lovely said.