CHENNAI: Left with no other option to increase it’s revenue, the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) is likely to increase price of monthly pass from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,300. Reliable sources have informed DC that, with fuel prices going through roof, the corporation has landed under severe financial crisis prompting officials to take such a decision.
Currently, MTC operates around 3,200 buses to various parts of the city and suburbs. After bus fare revision, the revenue dipped to Rs 2.3 crore against its previous Rs 2.85 crore per day. On an average, about 1,20,000 passengers per month are receiving such passes. Sources said that since such monthly passes will pave the way for commuters to travel any kind of MTC buses, except air-conditioned buses, the revenue has steadily declined forcing the officials to hike the cost of monthly passes.
“The transport department has already proposed to increase price of monthly passes. However, passengers have gradually been returning to MTC buses. Under such circumstance, the MTC is keeping such proposal under wraps,” said a close source to MTC. Since fuel price started shooting up, officials could anytime let the cat out of the bag, the source added.
M. Shanmugam, general secretary of Labour Progressive Federation, said, “if the transport department increases price of monthly passes, it would further reduce the revenue. Moreover, such move would reduce number of passengers opting for monthly passes.”
However, MTC officials are clueless. When sought for his comment, Anbu Abraham, managing director of MTC said “We have not received any communication regarding this from the state transport department. Further, it is a government’s policy decision.”
When asked about possibility of increasing price of monthly passes due to rising fuel price, the MD, responded, “anything can happen.”
