Fare Fixation Committee of the Delhi Metro headed by Justice (retired) Ml Mehta has decided to proceed on foreign jaunt from August 6 to 11 and study the fare structure of Hong Kong, Tokyo and Taipei.
A proposal to this effect has been sent to the Delhi Government and Centre for approval, top sources told The Pioneer.
All expenses of these tours would be borne by the Delhi Metro. Two officials of the Delhi Metro would also go with Fare Fixation Committee whose other members are Delhi Chief Secretary KK Sharma and Additional Secretary (Urban Development Ministry) Durga Shankar Mishra.
Around 30 lakh Delhiites reach their destination every day and this figure will reach above 40 lakh with the commencement of new metro lines by the end of this year.
The committee assumed the charge on June 9, 2016, and has to submit its report by September 8, 2016. According to sources, Hong Kong Metro is considered one of the best metro rail network in the world and that's why the committee has decided to visit Hong Kong and study their metro fare structure. "The committee will also study other revenue generation system of metro in these cities," said sources.
Earlier, the Delhi Metro had issued notice inviting suggestions from the metro passengers. The notice has also been displayed at major interchange metro stations of the Delhi Metro Network namely Rajiv Chowk, Kashmere Gate, Mandi House and Central Secretariat at appropriate locations, requesting passengers to send suggestions at 4thffc@dmrc.org or by Post to the Chairman, 4th Fare Fixation Committee, Metro Bhawan, Barakhamba Road, New Delhi-110001.
The last date for sending suggestions is June 30, 2016.
The last Fare Fixation Committee submitted their recommendations on Metro fares in 2009.
The Delhi Metro's fares were last revised in November 2009 when the minimum fare was revised to Rs8 from Rs6 while the maximum fare was revised to Rs30 from Rs22.
Since then, DMRC'S network has increased from 90 km to 213 km while fares have remained the same and operating expenses have gone up considerably.