Pay minimum Rs 10 for a ride in Kochi metro

KOCHI: The minimum ticket fare of the Kochi Metro will be Rs 10. A formal decision to this effect was taken during the 25th meeting of the Board of Directors of Kochi Metro Rail Limited held in New Delhi on Wednesday. The board has approved the proposed fare structure and fixed the minimum fare at Rs 10 while the maximum is Rs 60.

The Board has also authorized the management to take a decision on the special discounts on fares for users of the ‘Kochi-1’ smart card and app. The board approved recommendations for the optimum fare structure prepared by the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore after conducting a comprehensive study.  The study proposed that ‘fare zones’ be allotted based on their proximity to and from the point of origin of the Metro, Aluva, which was approved by the board. The proposed fares, though higher than the bus fare, have been finalised considering the comfort, saving of time and dependability of the Metro system. The approved fare structure is in favourable comparison with other metros in the country.

The fare zones will be labelled F1, F2, F3 to F6 ranging from 2kms (F1) from the point of origin, 5kms (F2), 10kms (F3) and increases in multiples of five leading up to F6 (25kms from the point of origin) the pricing for which will increase in multiples of 10.

The board meeting chaired by Rajiv Gauba, Secretary, Urban Development and Chairman, KMRL also approved the advertisement policy, station naming rights policy and the station interconnection policy along with other strategies for alternate revenue generation. The board also reviewed the project progress and the schedule of progress for the next few months.