Completing traffic in Bengaluru’s infamous traffic can soon start to be more expensive for the people. The BMRCL Board has voted in an official 5% increase in the ticket prices for Namma Metro. The board has accepted, but implementation of this hike is at present pending ultimate permission given by the Government of Karnataka.
A History of Volatile Pricing
Last year’s fare scandal is still fresh on the minds of Bengaluru’s commuters. On 9 February 2025 BMRCL stunned the city after it doubled fares with a significant 101.5% increase. And with widespread political pressures and public protests, the corporation was forced to retract within 72 hours, cutting the hike down to 71.5%. Before being forced to move to an annual 5% “automatic” increase, passengers say, the authorities must first take steps to address the “faulty calculations” that resulted in the high baseline prices implemented last year.
Political Opposition: Tejasvi Surya Takes Action
The plan has been widely opposed by some political leaders, most recently Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya. ‘There are always going to be significant decisions on how and where it was raised, which is why it’s important to hear from people about whether or not any further increases or the decision is based on transparent process in future.’ Surya has allegedly written to Union and State governments, appealing with regards to demands for:
- Restoration of the Fare Fixation Committee: This is necessary to protect fair representation and transparent audits.
- Annual Hike Suspension: In order to stop automatic increases until the alleged "mathematical errors" in the present fare structure are rectified.
“First there should be an update on the initial fare hike, which should rectify the errors,” he said. “After a justification for the base price, the annual 5% adjustment is then there to be discussed,” Surya wrote in his correspondence.
Passenger Sentiment: “A Double Burden”
Even when it comes to the 5% increase, daily wage earners and students, the 5% increase is a substantial burden, they say, and frequent commuters are out in arms. "We're paying more than a premium in fares already than other metros in India. The BMRCL must be about growing non-fare receipts through advertising and station rental instead of always pushing into the thralls of the common man," a member of the Bangalore Metro Passengers' Association said.
What’s Next?
BMRCL officials are currently doing their best to manage and convince the state government that the raise is needed to cover higher operational costs and electricity tariffs as they mount. If the government gives the green signal, Namma Metro commuters will be expecting higher fare to kick in by the end of the month. Now the Chief Minister's office looks on from the sidelines, a decision now final in nature.
