From rxpgnews.com
'Why pay more for poor service?' ask Delhi commuters
By IANS,
Apr 27, 2007 - 5:33:51 PM
New Delhi, April 27 - The buses are still overloaded and driven at breakneck speed, auto-rickshaws are still looting passengers by overcharging. But what's worse, you might just have to start paying more for all these services from next month.
A fare fixation committee constituted by the Delhi cabinet last year has recommended fare hikes for bus, auto and taxi fares - with that for autos being nearly 50 percent.
'As it is Delhi's autos have been on a looting spree. With this recommendation, I don't know if I can even afford an auto now,' lamented Radhika Jain, a student.
The current auto fare is Rs.8 for the first km and Rs.3.50 for every km after that. If the new recommendation is approved by the Delhi cabinet, the fare will stand at Rs.5-6 per km.
As far as buses are concerned, instead of the usual fares of Rs.2, 5, 7 and 10, there will be just two slabs - Rs.5 and 10. This will be applicable to the privately owned Blueline buses as well as those under the Delhi Transport Corporation.
'So that means I have to pay Rs.5 even if I have to travel from one bus stop to the next? As it is the bus service is so bad, sometimes I have to wait for nearly 30 minutes for the bus and now they are hiking the fare. This is ridiculous!' said Richa Misra, another distraught commuter.
The committee also proposes a hike of the yellow and black taxi. While the fare is Rs.13 for the first km and Rs.7 for every next kilometre, the new fare is proposed at Rs.10 per km.
'After taking into account the proposals of transport associations and other concerned parties, we have set up a fare fixation committee. It will soon submit a report to us,' said Delhi Transport Minister Haroon Yusuf.
'The Delhi cabinet after taking all the factors into consideration will take a final call,' he told IANS.
The decision is expected to come into effect early May, the minister said.
Hailing the proposal, auto drivers say it is only fair that with increasing fuel prices, the fares must also increase.
'Like most, my auto is hired. Hence I have to pay a sum of Rs.300 to the owner everyday, no matter how much I earn. Then there is the fuel that I have to take care of, my food...at the end of the day what do I take back home?' asked Shankar, an auto driver.
Yusuf also said his government would not let the transporters fleece the public.
'While hiking fares, we would also ensure that the auto and bus owners follow strict rules. While all autos would be asked to run on meter, the bus owners would be asked to teach etiquette to their drivers and conductors,' he added.
But the public is hardly convinced.
'While they have conveniently proposed an increase in the fare, I doubt if there will be any difference in the service that they provide us. I am sure there are many girls like me who don't feel safe travelling in a Blueline bus after 8 p.m. There are times when the conductor himself misbehaves with women,' said Namrata Sharma, a resident.
'As far as the autos are concerned, it's almost like begging them to take us to a particular place. If it doesn't suit him, he won't go. If he agrees somehow, he will overcharge. Will all this change?'
Said Akanksha Mehra, 'Thank god at least the Metro rail fare hasn't changed.'
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