NEW DELHI – The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has raised fares for the first time in eight years, making it more expensive to use the metro. The DMRC has called the change “minimal.” It will hike costs for most trips by ₹1 to ₹4, while the Airport Express Line will see the biggest increase of ₹5.
The DMRC made the announcement on Monday. The last time the prices of tickets changed was in 2017, when the fourth Fare Fixation Committee (FFC) made suggestions. The DMRC said the increase is needed to cover the escalating costs of running and maintaining the system.
This is how the new fare system will work on average weekdays:
0–2 km: ₹11 (up from ₹10)
2–5 km: ₹21 (up from ₹20)
5–12 km: ₹32 (up from ₹30)
12–21 km: ₹43 (up from ₹40)
21–32 km: ₹54 (up from ₹50)
More than 32 km: ₹64 (increased from ₹60)
The new prices apply to all metro lines, even the Airport Express Line, where the price goes up by up to ₹5. The DMRC has verified that even though the price has gone up, people who use smart cards will still get a 10% discount on every trip. People who use smart cards and travel during off-peak hours (before 8 AM, between 12 PM and 5 PM, and after 9 PM) will get an extra 10% off.
The increase comes just weeks after the Delhi Metro had its busiest day ever on August 8, when more than 8.1 million people rode. The DMRC has said that the fee hike is necessary to keep service quality high and encourage growth, although some passengers have complained online about problems including overcrowding during peak hours.