Commuters in the national capital will have to shell out more to travel in DTC and Blueline buses as Delhi Government today decided to increase the fares after almost seven years to meet the increasing revenue shortfall.

Announcing the decision after a Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said the minimum fare of Rs three for upto four kilometres has been increased to Rs five, while the Rs seven and Rs 10 tickets have been increased to Rs 10 (up to 10 kms) and 15 (above 10 kms) respectively.

"We are offering a clean and modern transport system to the citizens. We are increasing the fleet of low floor buses to 5,000. So, to make up a portion of the cost we have decided to increase the bus fare," Dikshit said, justifying the hike. She said the fares have been hiked after almost seven years.

The government also revised the rate of monthly students' pass from the existing Rs 12.50 to Rs 100 and fare of general pass has been increased from Rs 400 to 800.

However, rates of concessional bus travel pass for senior citizens and journalists have not been increased. Officials said rates of concessional passes were last revised almost two decades back.

Although Dikshit said the new fares will come into effect immediately, Transport Minister Arvinder Singh Lovely said the rates will come into force only after six-seven days as new tickets will have to be printed and notifications will have to be issued.