Kochi: Beware! If you “overstay” on metro trains though there is no change in the fare for travelling the extra distance, then you will not only find it tough to exit but also need to dole out a fine of Rs 50. The instances of commuters taking tickets but de-boarding at the next station because there is no change in fare only increased on the second day of Kochi Metro commercial operation when the heavy rush continued to be experienced throughout the day.
“Right now since the services have only started, we ask such travelers to remit the charge from their original destination station to that where they de-boarded. However, in course of time, a fine of '50 will be levied from such commuters,” a metro spokesperson said. There were at least 20 such cases on Tuesday who were finally let off through the manual gate after asking them to pay the charges for the “additional distance” travelled.
Also if a commuter overstays at a platform for over 15 minutes in addition to the travel time, their RFID paper tickets won’t work at the exit gates. “The two-day revenue collection touched Rs 41.4 lakh and a total of 1, 23, 118 commuters availed of the facility as of 6 pm on Tuesday,” sources said. Meanwhile, metro train experienced a software malfunctioning on Monday, resulting in a seven-minute halt near Muttom.
Private bus operators fear revenue loss
Even during the first day of Metro service, private buses on Aluva–Ernakulam route registered a decrease of nearly 30 to 40 per cent in the daily revenue collection. Bus operators are concerned about the number of regular commuters who will shift to the Metro system. According to M.B. Sathyan, state president of Private Bus Operators Association, said despite being a regular working day, the number of passengers along the Aluva – Edappally was less during the peak hours. Commuters boarded buses from Palarivattom to reach city areas.
“Though passengers from Aluva to the city or west Kochi areas might not shift to the Metro, regular commuters, who can afford, to Kalamassery, Edappally or Palarivattom will move to the new system,” he added. There are more than 160 private buses operating on Aluva – Ernakulam route and more than 40 buses on Eloor – Ernakulam route. Revenue of these 200 buses will dip as a significant chunk of regular commuters will migrate to the Metro system, it has generally been observed.
However, district general secretary of Private Bus Operators Association told DC that there would not be any significant decrease in the number of commuters along the Aluva – Ernakulam route. “The high number of passengers in the Metro during the initial days can’t be considered as most of them are joyriders. I think only very few regular commuters from Aluva to the city will shift to Metro. They have to pay more and also have to catch another bus from Palarivattom to reach the city,” he said.
