Metro rides in Delhi have become more expensive from May 10, 2017. In the new structure for passenger fares, the lowest limit has been fixed at INR 10. It would be going up to INR 50. The new fare structure may be enumerated as below:
| Distance in km | Fare in INR |
| 2 | 10 |
| 2-5 | 15 |
| 5-12 | 20 |
| 12-21 | 30 |
| 21-32 | 40 |
| More than 32 | 50 |
Travelers who have smart cards and travel during the off-peak hours will be able to avail discount of 20%. The off-peak hours are 6 am to 8 am, 12 pm to 5 pm, and 9 pm onwards. There would also be discounts of INR 10 on all slabs on Sundays as well as national holidays such as January 26, August 15, and October 2.
Further rise in fares
It is expected that fares would rise further from October 1. The maximum fare would at that time be INR 60. The increase in fares was announced on 8 May after the recommendations of a committee to fix the fares were cleared by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). KK Sabarwal, the Revenue Director of DMRC said that the fare hike, which comes after a period of eight years, was important in order to sustain its operations.
In recent times, operational expenses such as salaries and payments made to staff members, energy costs, and expenses for repairing and maintenance have increased significantly. According to senior officials of DMRC, this fare hike would not translate to overnight profits. However, it would arrest a rise in the company’s operating ratio that stands at INR 84 presently. This would mean that right now DMRC is spending INR 84 for every INR 100 earned by it.
In 2009, when the fare hike was effected for the first time, the operational ratio had stood at INR 54. Ever since, it has risen at a steady rate. Incidentally, both Indian Government and Delhi Government hold equal equity in DMRC. The company has been suffering losses some time now especially when you take into account the loan it has availed from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). On an average, it pays around INR 500 crore as interest on loans. The principal amount of the loan is estimated to be around INR 600 to 800 crores. It is expected that this operating ratio will change further when its future corridors, part of the first phase of ITI expansion, come up. At present the network spans 213 km but then it would go up to INR 350 km.
Revision in slab structure
Earlier on there were 15 slabs in the fare structure of Delhi Metro. Now it has been revised to six slabs. The fares on the Airport Express Line are expected to stay the same. DMRC is also expected to issue special tourist cards. Ones that are valid for a single day would be worth INR 200 and ones that are valid for three days would cost you INR 500.
Collaboration with Ola
In recent times, DMRC has also initiated a partnership with Ola, one of the leading app-based cab aggregators of India, whereby commuters will be able to use Ola Money in order to recharge their metro cards.
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