Surat — Starting September 1, bus fares for the Surat Citybus and BRTS services have been revised to range between Rs 5 and Rs 30. The Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) announced the changes today following the 38th board meeting of the municipality. The new fare structure is aimed at simplifying transactions and encouraging digital payments.
A New Fare Model
Previously, bus fares ranged from Rs 4 to Rs 22, creating complications due to non-availability of tickets and issues with change. The revised fares will now be in rounded figures of Rs 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 to make transactions more streamlined for both commuters and conductors. Banners informing citizens of the price hike have been placed at BRTS bus stands.
One Ticket for Both Services
The unique feature of public transport in Surat is the unified ticketing system, allowing passengers to travel on both Citybus and BRTS with a single ticket. Currently, around 250,000 citizens use these services daily across 13 routes for BRTS and 45 routes for Citybus.
Addressing Ticket Irregularities
The SMC's fare revision aims to tackle previous complaints of conductors not issuing tickets despite taking the fare or not providing the correct change. The minimum fare has now been increased from Rs 4 to Rs 5, while the maximum fare has been capped at Rs 30.
Discounts for Digital Payments
Alongside the fare hike, the Surat Municipal Corporation has introduced a 20% discount for passengers using digital payment methods through the Citilink mobile application. For example, the Suman Yatra ticket, which offers unlimited travel and was earlier priced at Rs 25, will now cost Rs 30 but can be availed at a discounted price of Rs 24 through digital transactions.
Fare Changes at a Glance
- Minimum Fare: Increased from Rs 4 to Rs 5
- Maximum Fare: Capped at Rs 30
- Suman Yatra Ticket: Increased from Rs 25 to Rs 30 (Rs 24 with digital payment discount)
The decision to revise the fare and offer digital payment discounts underlines SMC's commitment to make public transportation more efficient and convenient for the citizens of Surat. The new measures are expected to benefit the increasing number of commuters who rely on these services daily.
