Motorists hunt for change on sea link

If you are planning to use the Bandra-Worli sea link (BWSL) for your return journey, make sure that you set aside some coins on your dashboard. Mumbai Entry Point Limited (MEPL), the toll-collecting agency, has increased the return toll fare to Rs 82.50, against the earlier Rs 80. u00a0The change hasn't gone down well with regular motorists, as they are unhappy with the new fare. They feel that Rs 82.50 is an odd amount, as getting coins is a big hassle in the city.u00a0

Sea change: The toll rate while passing the Bandra-Worli Sea Link shows the new rates (circled). The decision to increase the fare to an odd-amount for cars and jeeps will result in chaos, as motorists will have to be ready with change to avoid long waits. Pics/Rane Ashish

Sandeep Shelar, resident of Andheri, who takes the sea link to commute to Nariman Point, said, "Already there is a coin shortage in the city. I will now have to make sure that I have exact Rs 2.50 change in my pocket, as every time I cannot expect the toll collecting agency to give me change."

An official from MEPL, on condition of anonymity, said, "At present we have adequate amount of change available with us. But in the coming days we might face a problem, as there is a shortage of coins in the market and we don't expect motorists to have change all the time."u00a0The toll rates of the BWSL were increased by MSRDC on Sunday, and it's the first time since the bridge was thrown open to motorists in 2009 that the toll-collecting agency has increased fares, which will stay applicable till 2015.

In the past, MEPL had stated that it was suffering losses as the number of vehicles using the sea link was much less than what MSRDC had projected. When asked if MEPL will recover their losses with the hike, an MEPL official said, "As the toll rates are increased, the payment which we will make to the government will also increase and our income will remain as it is. So it will be wrong to say that the increase in toll rates will help MEPL in recovering losses."

As per the projections done prior to inauguration of the sea link by MSRDC, an average of 80,000 vehicles were to use the bridge. However, after it was inaugurated between 36,000 and 39,000 vehicles were using the sea link daily and an average collection of Rs 15 to Rs 16 lakh was made every day.u00a0

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Old versus new rates
Vehicles u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0Old rates u00a0 u00a0 New toll rates u00a0 u00a0New toll rates

u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0(one-way) u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0(one-way) u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 (return)
Cars-Jeeps u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 Rs 50 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0Rs 55 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0Rs 82.50
Mini Buses (Tempo) u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0Rs 75 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0Rs 80 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0Rs 120
Heavy Vehicles u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0Rs 100 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0Rs 110 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 Rs 165

(Truck- Bus)u00a0