MTC re-introduces ₹1,000 and monthly season passes

After losing commuters following the recent fare hike, the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) has re-introduced the ₹1,000 and monthly season passes with minor change in fare.

The passes were issued largely to stop commuters from migrating to cheaper modes of transport, mainly suburban trains. The MTC has lost over 30% of regular commuters in the last two months.

Members of the public also want the ‘Travel As You Please’ daily passes to be re-introduced immediately with or without fare revision.

The daily pass, costing ₹50 before the fare revision was a hit among the commuters.

V. Rama Rao, director, Traffic and Transportation Forum, said the daily passes would be beneficial to labourers, youngsters and to people visiting the city from other places.

For daily-wage labourers and youngsters, who are hit by the steep fare hike and could not afford to purchase the ₹1,000-pass, the daily pass would be very useful.

Misuse cited

A senior official of the MTC said the corporation stopped issuing the daily passes as they were being misused. “One pass was being used by multiple users. Unless we devise a mechanism to prevent misuse, the corporation may not issue daily passes. We are looking for a solution,” he said.

Mr. Rao also said there was some truth in the MTC’s claim.

However, commuters deny the allegation.