In its efforts to encourage people to use public transport, the Arvind Kejriwal government has decided to slash fares of Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and cluster buses by whopping 75 per cent from new year.
The government has also decided to make DTC bus travel free for students up to the age of 21-years from January 1.
Delhi Transport Minister Satyendar Jain said though the decision to slash the fares has been taken, the Cabinet is expected to give a formal go ahead to the move following which the notification will be issued by end of this week.
Following the decision, the rate of monthly bus pass will come down to Rs 250 from existing Rs 800 for non-AC buses and from Rs 1,000 to Rs 250 for AC buses.
Jain said that the decision was taken to encourage people to shun their private vehicles and use public transport extensively to help the city bring down vehicular pollution.
There will be a flat fare of Rs 5 in non-AC DTC and cluster buses while Rs 10 will be in air-conditioned buses for one month on a trial basis, the minister said.
At present, the fare in AC bus ranges from Rs 10 to 25 and Rs 5 to Rs 15 in non-AC buses.
"By slashing fares drastically, people can be encouraged to use public transport extensively. I hope that with this decision, bike users will move towards public transport. Car users is also expected to do the same," the transport minister also said.
Jain also said that daily bus pass for non-AC is currently available for Rs 40 and Rs 50 for AC bus, but government will bring down the rate of both pass services to Rs 20 for one month.
"We are also planning to provide free travel to students of age up to 21 years so that they could be encouraged to use public transport," he also said.
The minister has directed the Transport department to submit a draft note by tomorrow on the governments move that will be put up in the Cabinet meeting.
"In order to address the situation (rising air pollution), it is imperative that lesser private vehicles are driven and more public transport is utilized.
"To achieve this end, the Government has decided to reduce DTC and Cluster bus fares for one month," Jain added.
Presently, Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) has 4355 buses while there are 1,600 cluster buses (orange).
(With PTI inputs)
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