With Maha Metro resorting to yet another hike in the fares of Nagpur Metro, the riders are having second thoughts about their patronage, as in these days of inflation every penny counts. As per reports the hike in fares is fourfold within a period of one month on part of metro giving jolt to the regular customers. Owing to steep hike in fares, people are now having second thoughts about extending their patronage to Nagpur Metro, as they say for daily travel this is quite taxing.

In fact, the immediate effect of hike in ticket fare was visible on ridership of Maazi Metro, that has fallen below one lakh commuters. At start of the new year the ridership had jumped phenomenally to beyond two lakh commuters, but that was more of joy ride as people were enjoying their holiday. As one reached the month end, the ridership of Nagpur Metro has dipped to 91,517 on January 29 before picking up to 96,589 on January 30. But in days to come as people realise the distinct difference in fares of bus as compared to metro, the footfalls at metro station may slide drastically.

But even as Nagpurians were enjoying their metro travel but buoyed by huge response, Maha Metro officials started hiking the ticket fares much to the disbelief of commuters. First the fare was brought to pre-Covid-19 level. Still it had no effect on ridership, though some murmuring started as citizens were feeling the pinch of the hike. However, even before dust had settled on it, metro again increased the fare much to the annoyance of citizens.

Now two more times the fare was hiked during the month, and this time even short distance stops were included. During earlier round of hike, Maha Metro official stance was that only end to end travellers would feel the hike while they have kept fares intact on short distance routes where maximum ticket sales occurs. However the fourth hike in fares has put a big question mark before commuters and already they have started looking beyond metro for their daily rides. Meanwhile parents are worried over the hike as for them now comparison with alternative mode of transport is now imminent. For example earlier from Jhansi Rani to Subhash Nagar the ride cost Rs 5 and post first increase to Rs 10. In aftermath of latest round of hike, the ticket on same route now costs Rs 20. Hence some of the school going students and even daily travellers have already switched over to Aapli Bus of NMC as it is a bit cheaper on the same distance as compared to Maazi Metro ride. The bus ride on same route costs Rs 13, thus the saving of Rs 7 per day means quite a lot for budget minded people.