Bengaluru Metro fare hike: Karnataka CM asks BMRCL to reduce 'abnormal increases'

Siddaramaiah

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on February 13 instructed BMRCL to reduce metro fares where "increases are abnormal", saying commuters' interests must be protected.

“The way Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has implemented the Bengaluru Metro fare revision has led to anomalies, with fares more than doubling in certain sections,” he wrote on X.

Also, read: Travellin' Blues: Congested Bengaluru now has the costliest Metro fare in India

“I have asked the MD of BMRCL to urgently address these issues and reduce fares where increases are abnormal. Commuters' interests must be safeguarded.”

Also, read: Bengaluru Metro fare hike sparks political row; BMRCL to review anomalies

Siddaramaiah had earlier stated that he has no control over BMRCL’s decision to increase fares.

Congress and BJP continue to blame each other for the Metro fare hike, with members of both parties staging separate protests against it.

Meanwhile, Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya raised the issue in Parliament during Zero Hour on February 12, highlighting the fare hike’s impact on Bengaluru’s middle class.

Also, read: Bengaluru Metro fare hike: Siddaramaiah says no control over BMRCL’s decision, Tejasvi Surya raises issue in Parliament

BMRCL implemented a steep fare hike on February 9, increasing the maximum fare from Rs 60 to Rs 90—a 50 percent increase. However, the fare hike has led to a 100 percent increase in short-distance commute costs across several Metro stations.

Also, read: Bengaluru Metro fare hike: Pressure mounts on BMRCL to reduce charges, Students' Union demands 50% discount

The state government is facing criticism for the sharp increase in Metro fares, which came immediately after a 15 percent bus fare hike. Meanwhile, netizens have launched a #RevokeMetroFareHike campaign on social media, demanding a rollback.

Also, read: Metro fare hike: Bengaluru MPs, netizens call it unfair, demand rollback