BMTC fare highest among metros

BMTC fare highest among metros
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: The country’s number one road corporation, the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) buses also tops when it comes to fares.

BMTC fares vary from ordinary bus to the Volvo. While the minimum fare upto 2 km for ‘Parisara Vahini’ is Rs 3, ‘Pushpak’ charges Rs 4 and ‘Volvo’ Rs 10. The fare is costliest compared to similar public transport in other metros in India.

In Delhi, the Delhi Transport Corporation’s (DTC) minimum fare for 3 km is Rs 2. Both DTC buses and private blue line buses charge the same. Fare for 3 km to 8 km is Rs 5, while BMTC charges between Rs 5 to Rs 9. One can travel upto 10 km for Rs 7. The maximum ticket fare is Rs 10 and you can travel anywhere in the capital. One can even travel to Noida which is in Uttar Pradesh for just Rs 10!

Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) city buses in Chennai are the cheapest among the metros. There was no hike in city bus fare in Chennai for the last eight years. The minimum fare is Rs 2 while one can travel 10 km or more for just Rs 3.50.

In Mumbai, the minimum fare for Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) buses is Rs 3, which goes upto Rs 15 for 35 kms.

When contacted, senior BMTC officials said that even though DTC fares are cheaper, they are running under loss. ‘‘Last year they incurred a loss of Rs 550 crore, which was reimbursed by the Central Government. At least BMTC is not in that stage,’’ he told this paper.

Though BEST charges Rs 5 for AC buses, it cannot be compared with the BMTC luxury Volvo buses, he added.