Airport Metro slows down, fares go up

Ironic it may sound, but Reliance Infrastructure-led Delhi Airport Metro Express has increased fares on the high-speed corridor at a time when the train speed has been drastically reduced to 50 km per hour.

The 50 per cent fare hike came into effect today just a day after commercial operations on the 23-km corridor resumed after a gap of six months.

From today, the minimum fare of Rs 20 will be Rs 30 and the maximum is Rs 150 from earlier Rs 100.

The fare hike came as a rude shock for commuters who were not that happy travelling at a reduced speed on the high-speed corridor. Before the line was shut down in July last year, trains were run at a speed of 105 km per hour.

After the inspection last week, Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety reduced the speed to 50 km per hour.

A Reliance Infra spokesman said fares in the Airport line are as mandated in the Concession Agreement of DMRC and one cannot deviate from the same.

"Most of the fares have remained the same. The most popular product -- monthly 60/45 journey pass -- has been maintained at the same level. In fact some fares have been reduced by introducing new products like 'Return Journey Token' and 'Sunday/Holiday Token'," the spokesperson said.

"There is a provision in the Concession Agreement for increasing the fares two years after completion of operations," he said.

"Overall it is in our interest to attract more and more passengers and we will continue to do so by designing the balanced fare structure within the provisions of the Concession Agreement," the spokesperson said.

However, the line will complete two years of operation only in February-end.

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