After public outrage, Bengaluru Metro puts fare revision on hold: BMRCL sources

Bengaluru metro

• BMRCL puts proposed 5% Metro fare hike on hold after public outrage
• Revised fare charts removed from stations; official statement pending
• Delhi Metro did not enforce annual fare hikes despite similar committee advice

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After widespread public outrage, Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) has put the proposed fare revision on hold, sources told Moneycontrol.

According to sources, the revised fare charts reflecting the proposed 5 percent increase-scheduled to come into effect from February 9-were removed from several Metro stations on Sunday evening.

BMRCL, in a statement, said: “Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) hereby informs that the media release dated February 5, 2026, announcing the implementation of the Annual Fare Revision with effect from February 9, 2026, has been kept on hold until further orders".

"The decision on the revised fare will be communicated after the board’s review. BMRCL remains committed to providing safe, reliable and affordable metro services to the citizens of Bengaluru.”, it said.

Sources said BMRCL had updated fare charts at all stations and distributed coins, as the fare revision-from Rs 1 to Rs 5-was expected to create change-related issues. Under the revised hike, the minimum fare was to increase from Rs 10 to Rs 11, while the maximum fare would go up from Rs 90 to Rs 95. “We received communication to put the fare revision on hold and to collect the existing fares,” a source told Moneycontrol.

Also, read: Bengaluru Metro fare rise: DK Shivakumar to meet BMRCL officials on Monday; Khattar assures hike will be temporarily put on hold, says Tejasvi Surya

Bengaluru Metro has already witnessed fare hikes of up to 71 percent last year, with the latest proposed revision triggering sharp criticism from commuters and political leaders.

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

Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister DK Shivakumar said state government was not responsible for fixing Metro fares, stating that Fare Fixation Committee (FFC) is headed by a secretary appointed by the Union government.

Also, read: Bengaluru Metro fares to go up 5% from February 9, BMRCL kicks off annual revision

Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya on February 7 said said he had spoken to Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar, seeking immediate intervention to stop the proposed hike. In a statement, Surya said Bengaluru already has the costliest Metro fares in the country and warned that another increase would make public transport unaffordable for many commuters.

Surya said that Khattar had instructed officials to keep the proposed fare hike on hold temporarily and that it would not take effect from Monday.

Also, read: Karnataka CM seeks rollback of Bengaluru Metro fare hike, says Centre alone can decide

BMRCL has been justifying the move by citing the recommendations of the Fare Fixation Committee, which provide for an automatic annual fare revision mechanism. According to the corporation, these recommendations are binding and must be implemented until a new committee is constituted.

Moneycontrol reported that Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), which received similar approval from its Fourth Fare Fixation Committee constituted in 2016, chose not to enforce annual fare hikes for several years.

Also, read: Why Bengaluru Metro is enforcing annual fare hikes while Delhi resists, despite similar panel recommendations

FFC report for Delhi Metro, available on DMRC’s website, states that fares should be adjusted annually from January 1, 2019, with increases capped at 7 percent or as per the prescribed formula, whichever is lower. It further specifies that this automatic revision should continue every year until the next Fare Fixation Committee’s recommendations come into effect. Despite this explicit provision, Delhi Metro implemented only one fare revision-in August 2025-since the committee’s recommendations came into force.

Also, read: 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