While decision over increasing of ticket fares of Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar Metro-1 is stuck for almost four years now, the Reliance Infrastructure-led Mumbai Metro One Private Limited (MMOPL) has announced a promotional fare for children below the age of 12 years. They will be able to travel at a discounted price of Rs 5 for single journey during weekends. The existing fares are Rs 10, 20, 30, and 40.
The Metro operator says that children can become ambassadors for the Mumbai Metro services, and it is a special bonanza to mark the festive season.
According to the revision, a child below the age of 12 will be able to ride in the Metro - on Saturday and Sunday - at a discounted fare of just Rs 5. However, return journey will be charged Rs 10. In addition to this, children under 3 feet will be able to travel free of charge along with their parents.
An MMOPL spokesperson said, "We introduced this special fare for children on weekends so that they can experience the first Metro of Mumbai. Children being early adopters will become ambassadors when delighted by the services of the city's Metro."
Earlier, MMOPL had proposed to increase the fare for Metro-1, which ferries more than 3.50 lakh passengers on a daily basis during weekdays. The Fare Fixation Committee (FFC) had also suggested an increase in the fare but the Bombay High Court had quashed the recommendation of FFC, and had directed them to form a new FFC.
While the FFC had recommended the new fare to be between Rs 10 to 110, MMOPL had proposed a slab of Rs 10, 20, 25, 35 and 45. However, now a new FFC will be formed, and that will recommend the new fare slab, officials from Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) said. MMRDA owns around 26 per cent stakes in Metro-1.
A MMRDA official said, "We have nominated a member from the state government to the Centre to form the new FFC. Now, it's on the central government to nominate the remaining members who will later study the project, and recommend a new fare slab, if necessary."
METRO PHASE 1
- Versova-Ghatkopar Metro ferries more than 3.50 lakh passengers daily during weekdays
- Work on Phase I began in 2007, but the project missed multiple deadlines
