After last year’s up to 71% hike, Bengaluru Metro may raise fares by Rs 1 to Rs 5 from February 9 despite public backlash

Bengaluru Metro

• Bengaluru Metro fares to rise by Rs 1-5 from February 9 despite public backlash
• Minimum fare may increase to Rs 11, maximum fare to Rs 95 under annual revision
• Bengaluru Metro is India's priciest, expanding slower than Delhi's network.

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Bengaluru Metro is likely to increase fares by Rs 1 to Rs 5 from February 9, despite continued public backlash over last year’s steep hike of up to 71 percent.

Officials said annual fare revision recommended by Fare Fixation Committee (FFC) last year is binding on Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL). In its report, the committee stated that the automatic annual fare fixation formula must be implemented until a new FFC is constituted.

Also, read: Bengaluru Metro cites Karnataka's financial strain for recent fare revisions of up to 71 percent

Bengaluru Metro now charges a minimum fare of Rs 10 for distances up to 2 km and a maximum fare of Rs 90 for journeys exceeding 25 km, making it the costliest metro system in the country. With a 5 percent annual increase, the minimum fare is likely to rise to Rs 11, while the maximum fare may go up to Rs 95.

According to FFC report, the annual automatic fare revision comes into effect every year from the date of implementation of the FFC-recommended fares approved by the BMRCL Board and remains valid until the next committee’s recommendations are implemented.

The report further states that the annual percentage increase in fares should be calculated using the prescribed formula or capped at 5 percent per annum, whichever is lower, for each fare slab. All fares are to be rounded off to the nearest rupee.

“The revision is most likely to be implemented from February 9. No additional permission is required from either the Union or state government, as the FFC recommendations are binding on us,” a senior official said.

Several passengers, however, said it was unfair to raise fares again so soon after last year’s sharp increase.

On February 9 last year, BMRCL revised fares, with some ticket prices rising by over 100 percent in certain slabs. Following widespread outrage, the agency later cited technical glitches and announced that the hike would be capped at 71 percent from February 14. However, commuters say fares remain excessively high.

Also, read: Bengaluru Metro releases fare fixation report seven months after up to 71% hike

Bengaluru Metro’s construction pace has also been relatively slow, with the network expanding just 96 km since 2011, averaging 6-7 km per year. In contrast, Delhi Metro, operational since 2002, spans 394 km, expanding at an average pace of 16-17 km per year. Despite its larger network, Delhi Metro’s maximum fare is Rs 64 on weekdays and Rs 43 on Sundays and national holidays for journeys beyond 32 km, compared with Bengaluru Metro’s Rs 90 fare for distances exceeding 25 km.

Also, read: Bengaluru Metro spent Rs 26 lakh on foreign tours to study fare structures: RTI reply