Mumbai Metro Fare Hike Proposal Moves Forward
The Maharashtra government has sent a proposal to the Centre to create a fare fixing committee for the Mumbai Metro, potentially leading to higher ticket prices on some routes, according to Mumbai Live.
Committee Formation and Approval Process
Last month, the state approved the proposal and forwarded it to the central government's Salt Pan Department for clearance. After approval, a committee headed by a High Court judge will be established to decide fare revisions.
Routes Likely Affected
- Metro 2A: Andheri (West) to Dahisar
- Metro 7: Gundavali to Dahisar
Both lines are operated by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and are expected to see fare adjustments.
Current Fare Structure and Comparisons
MMRDA’s Metro 2A and 7 currently charge ₹20 for travel between 3 and 12 kilometers. In contrast:
- Metro 3 (still under construction) proposes fares of ₹40 for 8 to 12 km.
- Metro 1 (Versova–Ghatkopar) charges ₹40 for distances from 8 to 11.4 km.
Ridership Below Expectations
Currently, over 300,000 passengers use MMRDA metro lines daily. However, initial projections estimated ridership would reach 900,000 within the first year.
"The Maharashtra government has sent a proposal to the Centre to establish a fare fixing committee for Mumbai Metro, paving the way for a possible hike in ticket prices on certain routes," reported Mumbai Live.
Summary: The Maharashtra government seeks central approval to form a committee for revising Mumbai Metro fares, mainly affecting Metro 2A and 7, amid lower-than-expected ridership.