Delhi Metro loses 50 lakh passengers after May fare hike

Delhi Metro hike fares in May has lowered its ridership in the month of June, according to the metro’s readership figures.

According to Delhi Metro’s figures for the quarter April-June 2016 and 2017 respectively, this June saw a dearth of almost Rs 50 Lakh riders to May.

The fare hike may be the possible reason which led to the loss of 1.5 lakh passengers per day in June. According to the data impact of fare hike was visible from May onwards. In May the metro handled eight lakh more passengers compared to May 2016.

The Delhi Metro only recorded a ridership of 1.08 lakhs in June 2016.

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According to figures, Delhi Metro had registered a sustained growth in ridership, saw a massive decline of around 49 lakh passengers in June 2017 compared to last year.

The metro on May 10 had increased minimum passenger fare from Rs 8 to Rs 10 and the maximum fare was hikes to Rs 50 from Rs 30.

According to figures large number of Metro passengers travel a distance of 15 kilometers and the fare in the slab was increased from Rs 18 to Rs 40.

The Delhi Metro plans to hike fare further by Rs 10 for travelling a distance of over 2 kilometers from October 1.

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However Delhi Metro Rail Corporation spokesperson said, “THe variation in ridership, is in the range of 1% and 5% for all three months. In May this year, when fares were revised, there was an increase in ridership vis-a-vis May 2016.”

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation spokesperson said, “The variation in ridership is in the range of 1% and 5 % for all three months. In May this year, when fares were revised, there was an increase in ridership vis-a-vis May 2016.”

The spokesperson added, “The system is spread over 218 kilometers, a fluctuation in ridership is bound to happen.”

An official of Delhi Metro said, they added a network of 8 kilometers and had expected an increase in ridership but this is the first time a decline was seen.