Mumbai Metro fares to remain unchanged till October 31

Mumbai Metro announced on Monday that the fares will remain unchanged for now and will not be hiked to Rs 110. Currently, the fares charged are Rs 10-20-30-40 and discounts are also offered depending on smart card and travel pass schemes.

“The first Fare Fixation Committee of Mumbai Metro One Private Limited (MMOPL) has recommended to increase the maximum fare of Mumbai Metro by Rs 70, but MMOPL has decided to continue the current fare of Rs 10-Rs 40, taking a commuter friendly approach till October 31, 2015. Thereafter, the situation will be reviewed and the fare will gradually be increased depending upon the response of the Maharashtra government on various proposals of revenue enhancement,” read a statement issued by Mumbai Metro, which is led by Reliance Infrastructure.
 
The metro operator wants the government to pay Rs 1,000 crore so that the fares are not hiked after October 31. Apart from this, it also wants to exploit all commercial and retail spaces to “enhance revenue” and restructure its debt to reduce interest rates.
 
Sources have mentioned that if the state government doesn’t help with funds, the fares may be hiked from November onwards.
 
The Supreme Court is likely to hear a petition filed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) on Wednesday. The development body wants the fares to be at Rs 9-11-13.