Bengaluru: Residents of Bengaluru are voicing their anger online over a steep increase in metro fares, with calls for a boycott of the services. The Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has implemented a fare hike of up to 50%, which many commuters consider "completely unjust." Reports show a notable decline in metro ridership, especially during peak hours, with former regular riders, including school students, dropping out due to the increased costs. One user noted the prevalence of empty seats during rush hours, marking the absence of students who previously depended on the metro.
The new fares took effect on February 9, 2025, following a recommendation by the Fare Fixation Committee, a process BMRCL claims is required under the Metro Railway O&M Act. The updated fare structure ranges from ₹10 for 0-2 kilometers to ₹90 for distances exceeding 30 kilometers, and has also raised the minimum balance on metro cards from ₹50 to ₹90, introducing a peak and non-peak fare system. Despite offers for smart card users, widespread dissatisfaction persists, with many commuters rallying under #BoycottMetro.
Currently, Bengaluru’s metro has the highest fares in India, despite its shorter network compared to others like the Delhi Metro.
Politicians Raise Voice
In protest against the fare hike, the Karnataka Pradesh Mahila Congress held a demonstration at Jayanagar Metro Station, alleging that the BJP misled the public regarding the increase. Protesters called for transparency on accountability for the fare rise, pointing to the BJP's prior objections before the fare revision was endorsed. Bengaluru South BJP MP Tejasvi Surya voiced his concerns in Lok Sabha about the metro fare increase, arguing that the new ticket prices have made Bengaluru Metro the priciest in India for short-distance travel, which undermines its purpose as an affordable transportation option. He urged reconsideration of the fare structure to improve public access and met with the Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs to discuss discrepancies in the new fare system.
CM Siddaramaiah Criticizes BJP
In response, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah criticized BJP leaders for blaming the State government for the fare hike, reminding them that they had also claimed credit for the metro project. He explained that fares had not been updated since 2017 and highlighted that BMRCL had sought a fare revision from the Central government. Siddaramaiah accused BJP members of spreading false information, emphasizing that BMRCL operates independently with equal contributions from both the State and Central governments, as per the Metro Railways (Operation and Maintenance) Act of 2002. He provided a comparative analysis of the fare structure with other cities, noting that oversight of fare decisions had shifted from State to Central authority for the metro project.
In response to widespread criticism of the substantial increase in metro fares, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) officials announced plans to evaluate ridership data and address commuter feedback. Many passengers reported disproportionately high fare hikes for specific travel stages following the fare revision implemented on February 9. BMRCL confirmed receiving numerous complaints regarding the fare structure discrepancies.
A senior official highlighted the necessity of a thorough analysis to validate the recent fare increases on Bengaluru's metro, which now has the highest rates in India. Commuters have experienced fare hikes of 50% to 75% on certain routes. Protests by the Karnataka Pradesh Mahila Congress criticized the fare rise and demanded clarity from the government.
Bengaluru South BJP MP Tejasvi Surya expressed concerns in the Lok Sabha about affordability, particularly for short distances. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah countered BJP accusations, stating the fare adjustments were due to BMRCL's independent operations and past appeals to the Central government. The fare hikes implemented on February 9, 2025, have led to significant anger and calls for a boycott among residents.
Who Manages Bengaluru’s Namma Metro?
Bengaluru’s Namma Metro is managed by Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL). The Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is a partnership between the Union and Karnataka Governments.
The metro ticket prices have not been updated since 2017, and the BMRCL took the step of contacting the Union Government to request a fare revision. In reply to BMRCL’s letter, the Union Government established a Fare Fixation Committee (FFC) led by Justice R. Tharani (Retd.), a previous judge of the Madras High Court. The committee included representatives from both state and Union governments.
The Union government set a three-month deadline for the committee to present updated fare prices. They met with the Delhi and Chennai Metro authorities and discussed the fare structures with BMRCL officials.
How Does Bengaluru Metro Fare Compare to Delhi and Mumbai?
The committee examined the fare systems of other metros, including Mumbai and Delhi. In the Mumbai Metro, the lowest fare is Rs 10 while the highest is Rs 80. Currently, the fare for the Delhi Metro varies from Rs 10 to Rs 60. The corresponding state metro authorities were determining the initial phase fares across all states, aside from the Delhi Metro.
