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

Bengaluru Metro has become the most expensive transit service in India after increasing its maximum fare by 50 percent, from Rs 60 to 90, effective February 9.

In contrast, Kolkata Metro, operated by Indian Railways, remains the most affordable, with fares ranging from Rs 5 for short distances to a maximum of Rs 50 for longer routes.

For journeys beyond 25 km, Bengaluru Metro now charges Rs 90, while Delhi Metro’s fare for distances over 32 km is Rs 60, and Chennai Metro’s is Rs 50. In Kolkata, the maximum fare for distances between 25 and 30 km is just Rs 25, making it significantly cheaper.

Also, read: Bengaluru Metro fare hike: Maximum fare up from Rs 60 to Rs 90

Adding to commuter concerns, the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has discontinued discounts for QR code users, limiting the 5 percent discount only to smart card holders. In 2020, BMRCL had reduced the smart card discount from 15  to 5 percent.

Unlike Bengaluru, most other Metro systems continue to offer discounts for both QR code and smart card users. Many passengers argue that removing the QR code discount in India's tech capital contradicts the spirit of Digital India. Meanwhile, Metro operators in Chennai and Kochi continue to offer a 20 percent discount on smart cards, QR codes, and WhatsApp tickets.

BMRCL has also increased the minimum balance requirement for smart cards from Rs 50 to 90, a policy unique among Indian Metro services. Since its inception in 2011, BMRCL has issued around 1 crore smart cards. Additionally, the cost of daily and multi-day passes has risen sharply, with the one-day pass increasing from Rs 150 to 300, the three-day pass from Rs 350 to 600, and the five-day pass from Rs 550 to 800.

Also, read: Will public transport fare hike trigger more traffic chaos in Bengaluru?

Fare hike likely to worsen traffic woes

Many fear that higher Metro fares will push more commuters towards two-wheelers or alternative transport options. Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has already reported a drop in ridership following a 15 percent fare hike implemented on January 5.

Bengaluru’s road network spans around 14,000 km and has 1.2 crore registered vehicles, resulting in a staggering density of 874 vehicles per kilometre. This congestion has reduced average traffic speeds to below 10 kmph during peak hours.

The city also has the highest number of registered two-wheelers in India — 82 lakh — surpassing Delhi’s 70 lakh.

Also, read: Bengaluru's BMTC sees ridership drop after hike in bus fare

The cost of two end-to-end Metro trips has now risen from Rs 120 to 180, making shared cabs or autos a more economical option for families travelling together. Unlike Delhi and Chennai, Bengaluru does not have a shared auto-rickshaw system, and the inadequate BMTC feeder bus service forces commuters to rely on costly private auto-rickshaws or bike taxis for first and last-mile connectivity. Those using personal vehicles also have to pay parking fees at Metro stations. The fare hike could make Metro travel unaffordable for the lower-middle-class and daily wagers.

Many netizens have started the campaign #RevokeMetroFareHike, protesting against the steep increase in fares. Rajkumar Dugar, Founder of Citizens for Citizens, an NGO, criticised the hike, saying it discourages the use of public transport and worsens traffic congestion in Bengaluru. "The government should find alternative revenue streams instead of burdening commuters," he said.

Dugar warned that high fares and long wait times will push people towards private vehicles. "This will reduce the city's quality of life," he added, calling for a focus on increasing ridership rather than raising fares.

Also, read: Startup hub Bengaluru: What makes it the world's second slowest city

BMRCL defends fare hike

BMRCL officials maintain that the fare hike was inevitable. The Union government formed a Fare Fixation Committee under a former High Court judge on September 7, 2024, under Section 34 of the Metro Railways Act, 2002. The committee submitted its report on December 16, recommending a revised fare structure under Section 37 of the Act.

“The committee considered both affordability and financial sustainability while recommending the fare revision,” BMRCL stated in a release.

Also, read: Kolkata is India’s most congested city in 2024, Bengaluru ranks 2nd: TomTom report

A senior BMRCL official also defended the policy, saying, “The average fare increase is around 42 percent, and not all passengers will travel end-to-end. If we don’t insist on a minimum balance, passengers with insufficient funds could face issues while exiting the station.”

BMRCL officials said that additional revenue is needed to cover rising operational costs, including staff salaries and network expansion. “We also require funds for installing platform screen doors at crowded stations to prevent people from falling on the tracks,” the official added.

Also, read: After bus fare hike, Bengaluru Metro fare to increase as BMRCL board gives nod

Rising costs vs revenue growth

BMRCL’s financial records show that fare revenue has grown significantly, from Rs 9.8 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 573.9 crore in 2023-24. However, operational costs have also surged, from Rs 48.7 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 613.07 crore in 2023-24.

Despite the rising costs, BMRCL reported a cash profit of Rs 14.21 crore during 2023-24, indicating that fare revenue is sufficient to cover expenses such as staff salaries, electricity, and maintenance. BMRCL's income includes both fare and non-fare revenues, such as from advertising, stalls, etc. 

Also, read: In a first, Bengaluru Metro to wrap trains with ads to boost revenue; tender to be floated soon

Asked why fares remain lower in Kolkata, an official said, “Kolkata Metro is run by Indian Railways, which heavily subsidises passenger fares. In Delhi, the Union government covers the cost of CISF security. A significant portion of our revenue goes toward staff salaries.”

BMRCL said they will soon display advertisements on Metro pillars and trains to generate more revenue.

Commuters demand better services

In light of the fare hike, many passengers are calling on BMRCL to improve the service quality by increasing train frequency, adding more trains, and expediting pending projects (Yellow , Pink, and Blue Lines). Passengers are also demanding the installation of platform screen doors at crowded stations to enhance safety.

However, Bengaluru Metro is already struggling with delays and a shortage of trains. The 33-km phase 1 of the project, initially approved in 2006 for Rs 6,395 crore, ended up costing Rs 14,133 crore by the time it was completed in 2017. The delays and cost overruns have continued in phase 2, which was sanctioned in 2014 for Rs 26,405 crore but has now escalated to Rs 40,614 crore, with the completion pushed to December 2026.

Also, read: India's most congested city, Bengaluru, faces train set supply crisis

India's Metro Man E Sreedharan has warned that the continued delays are costing Bengaluru Metro Rs 1.5 crore daily. BMRCL attributes the cost increases to rising land acquisition expenses, input costs, and forex fluctuations.

In addition to the operational challenges, Bengaluru Metro is also struggling with a severe train shortage. The system currently operates 57 trains over a 76 km network—33 on the Purple Line and 24 on the Green Line, with five under maintenance. Experts recommend at least one train per km to maintain a frequency of three to four minutes, but the current fleet falls short. During phase 1, BMRCL had 50 trains for just 45 km, a better ratio than today. This is also leading to overcrowding during peak hours.

Bengaluru Metro’s platform design accommodates only six-coach trains (135 metres), whereas Delhi Metro operates longer eight-coach trains to handle higher passenger volumes. The problem is worsened by delays in new coach deliveries. Under a 2019 contract, Chinese manufacturer CRRC was supposed to supply 216 coaches within 3.5 years but has missed multiple deadlines. Of these, 126 coaches are to be deployed for the Purple and Green Lines, while 90 are for the Yellow Line. The revised deadline for supplying all rolling stock for the Yellow Line is Q4 2025, while the Purple and Green Lines are expected to receive all trains by Q1 2027.

Also, read: Bullish on India: How Metro rail has transformed the way urban India commutes