The Hindu : New Delhi News : Delhi feels the pinch of increased fares

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jun 02, 2007
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New Delhi

Delhi feels the pinch of increased fares

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: The increase in the fares of buses, auto-rickshaws and taxis approved by the Delhi Cabinet on Thursday has evoked a mixed reaction from the public. While users of the public transport system have described the hike as an "added burden", auto-rickshaw drivers said the rise in three-wheeler fare was too little.

"The fare hike will make life very difficult for the salaried class," said Tony Tharakan, who commutes daily from South Delhi to Central Delhi by bus or auto-rickshaw. "Now I will think twice before boarding an auto-rickshaw and will consider walking short distances. Taxis now are out of the question."

While the one-rupee increase in bus fare did not seem to bother commuters much, it is the rise in the auto-rickshaw fares that has drawn the ire of the public. Commuters expressed reservations about auto-rickshaws running by the meter despite the fare hike.

"Auto-rickshaw drivers invariably overcharge and it remains to be seen if they accept the new fares ," said Sanjana Harish, a resident of East Delhi. "People who have better access to the Delhi Metro will now use it." Calling the new fares "a licence to loot", People's Action president Sanjay Kaul said the hike was "pandering to the transport cartels".

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