Why Bengaluru Metro's fare hike of up to 71% has raised hackles

Following an outrage, BMRCL admitted technical glitches in the fare hike and announced a maximum fare percentage cap of 71 percent from February 14. But passengers say the fare hike is still high.

Sandeep M, a resident of Ramamurthy Nagar in East Bengaluru, used to pay Rs 20 for a Metro ride from Byappanahalli to MG Road (6.7 km) and Rs 120 for the auto-rickshaw ride to his office, making his one-way commute add up to Rs 140.

On February 9, Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) revised its fares, increasing Sandeep's Metro fare to Rs 40—a steep 100 percent hike. Following the outpouring of outrage, BMRCL admitted technical glitches in the fare hike and announced the increase would be capped at 71 percent from February 14. But passengers say the fare hike is still high.

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

Sandeep’s one-way Metro fare has been revised to Rs 30, but he no longer travels by Metro. He is not alone. Bengaluru Metro’s daily ridership has dropped by 10-13 percent, with more than 1 lakh riders shifting to other modes of transport. Pre-hike, BMRCL’s daily ridership was 8.6 lakh to 8.7 lakh.

Also read: After Karnataka CM's nudge, Bengaluru Metro caps fare hike at 71%

"Before the fare hike, I spent Rs 280 daily (two-way Metro and auto-rickshaw). Now, it’s Rs 300. Unlike Delhi, Bengaluru lacks shared autos, and BMTC buses are irregular. There are no extra trains or increased frequency either. After the hike, I switched to my two-wheeler in protest, but with summer coming, I’m considering carpooling apps for my office commute," said Sandeep.

BMRCL officials said the fare hike, based on the Fare Fixation Committee's (FFC) recommendation, increased the maximum fare from Rs 60 to Rs 90 for distances over 25 km, making it the costliest Metro in India. After complaints, fares were recalibrated on February 14 for 48 percent of passengers (2.91 lakh) who faced an 'abnormal' fare increase, with the hike capped at a maximum of 71 percent. However, no refunds were given to those who had paid excess fares between February 9 and 13.

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

Untimely fare hike

Bengaluru, with a population of 1.4 crore, has 1.2 crore registered vehicles, including 82 lakh two-wheelers and 25.1 lakh cars. With a 14,000-km road network, the city’s vehicle density is around 857 vehicles per km, causing gridlock and an average peak-hour speed of less than 10 kph.

Unlike Mumbai, Chennai or Kolkata, Bengaluru lacks a dedicated suburban rail network and relies on buses. However, BMTC has only 6,340 buses, far below the required 12,000-14,000.

India's Metro Man E Sreedharan states that for every 1 lakh people, 1 km of metro is needed. This means Bengaluru requires at least 140 km of metro, but only 76 km is operational.

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

Bengaluru Metro has yet to connect key routes like Outer Ring Road, Hosur Road, Bannerghatta Road and Kempegowda International Airport.  Many passengers pointed out that BMRCL could have revised the fares after the expansion of Metro lines on these key routes.

Bengaluru Metro’s construction pace is slow, having covered just 76 km since 2011—an average of 5.4 km per year. In contrast, Delhi Metro, operational since 2002, spans 353 km, adding about 15 km per year. However, Delhi Metro’s maximum fare is Rs 60, while Bengaluru's is Rs 90 for distances above 25 km.

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

Lucknow Metro, for instance, completed its first phase of 22.8 km in under three years (2014-2017), while the Kanpur Metro, also operated by Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation, began construction in 2019 and partially opened a 9.2-km stretch in 2021 (two years). In comparison, Bengaluru Metro's 3 km Green Line extension (Madavara-Nagasandra) took seven years, opening in November 2024, while the 19 km Yellow Line is complete but not operational due to shortage of train sets.

Delays caused cost escalations for Bengaluru Metro, with the project cost for Phase 1 (42 km) rising from an estimated Rs 6,395 crore in 2005 to Rs 14,133 crore, and that for Phase 2 (72 km) increasing from Rs 26,405 crore in 2014 to Rs 40,614.27 crore in 2024.

Train shortages

Bengaluru Metro is facing a rolling stock shortage, with only 57 trains serving 76 km, while experts recommend having one train per km for better frequency. Phase 1 had 50 trains for 45 km, and Bengaluru Metro stations are designed for a maximum of six-coach trains, unlike Delhi's eight-coach train limit.

BMRCL officials blamed the India-China standoff, the Make in India policy and other factors for delays in trains on the Yellow, Purple and Green Lines, having placed orders on Chinese firm CRRC for train sets. Last-mile connectivity remains poor, with BMTC operating only 190 feeder buses, and no shared auto-rickshaws, making it more expensive.

Also read: MC Explains: Overcrowded Bengaluru Metro coaches: Fallout of Indo-China conflict

"Metro authorities said FFC visited countries like Singapore and Hong Kong to study fare structure. In Singapore, the Mass Rapid Transit operates trains every 2–3 minutes during peak hours and every 5–7 minutes during off-peak hours. Can Bengaluru Metro operate at the same frequency?" asked Revathy Krishnan, a regular Metro user. "Public transport is a service, but BMRCL is only looking at profit."

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

Fare hike inevitable, but last-mile connectivity to get cheaper: BMRCL

BMRCL Managing Director M Maheshwar Rao told Moneycontrol, "We have received many representations following the fare hike. We are now collecting them and also evaluating the ridership. But it is not accurate to say that fares have increased by 71 percent in all cases. In some instances, the increase is only 10-15 percent or 20-25 percent."

He also mentioned plans to improve last-mile connectivity. “At present, many Metro feeder buses currently operate as regular buses. We are now discussing with BMTC to introduce dedicated buses for Metro passengers, and BMRCL will pay the viability gap funding to offset their losses. It will have designated routes, a flat fare system (Rs 10-15), and integrate NCMC (National Common Mobility Cards) for payments.” he said.

Also, read: Karnataka Clean Mobility Policy backs e-rickshaws, aims for 100% clean fleet in e-commerce by 2030

On the Karnataka Clean Mobility Policy 2025-2030, which recommends the adoption of e-rickshaws and EV auto-rickshaws for last-mile connectivity, Rao said: "We are open to launching e-rickshaws for last-mile connectivity from Metro stations once the rules are framed."

Rao added, “We are also working with BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, the city's civic body) to improve footpaths. We also plan to remove conductors and implement digital payments to streamline operations and reduce costs. If successful, this will make Metro travel more seamless and practical for commuters.”

Also read: Bengaluru Metro charges should not exceed 1.5 times non-AC bus fare: E Sreedharan

Another BMRCL official said, "We haven’t raised fares since 2017. Ideally, revisions should happen every two years and with new stations, but this wasn't done."

He clarified, "There’s a misconception BMRCL is making a profit. Staff costs have increased by 42 percent, energy costs by 34 percent, and maintenance by 366 percent compared to March 2017. Our loan obligations are Rs 770 crore for 2024-25."

Also read: After BJP, Congress protests against Bengaluru Metro fare hike, seeks reduction

He added, "We may earn Rs 100-150 crore from property development, but unlike Mumbai or Delhi, we lack large land parcels, with only 25 acres. Development depends on location feasibility, and our stations weren't designed for this."

He also said, “Unlike Mumbai and Nagpur, which generate revenue from premium Floor area ratio (FAR) sales, we've maxed out FAR sales at 2.25 FAR in most locations in Bengaluru. The scope for further property value capture is minimal which limits property revenue."

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

Another official said, “Metros like Delhi, Lucknow, Jaipur and Mumbai also plan fare revisions within a year. Bengaluru Metro fares were initially set based on distance, but some stations were too close (less than one km), which led to higher fares due to rounding. These have now been recalibrated. In fact, additional revenue will be used for passenger amenities, platform screens, land for parking and viability gap funding for feeder buses.”

Divided by parties, united against fare hike

Political parties, including the Congress, BJP and JDS, protested against the Metro fare hike, with a political blame game erupting. Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the setting of fares should be managed by the state, while Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy blamed the central government and BJP leaders.

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

Following the public backlash, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah directed BMRCL to roll back the 'abnormal' hike, resulting in the 71 percent cap, though the base fare and highest ticket price remain unchanged at Rs 10 and Rs 90. Regular commuters, led by the Bangalore Metro Commuters' Association, protested at Freedom Park, demanding a full rollback. All India Democratic Students' Organisation called for a 50 percent student fare concession, while Bengaluru Police filed an FIR against 16 ABVP members protesting at Kempegowda Metro station.

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