From next week onwards, commuters taking the Bengaluru Namma Metro will be required to pay more. Thanks to its lengthy weeks of deliberation and a board meeting which unanimously recommended uprating prices, the State Government officially sanctioned BMRCL's proposal to increase ticket prices by 5%. This is the second price change in as many years and it helps to enhance the perception that Namma Metro is one of the country's most expensive metro services.
Revised Fare Estimates
While BMRCL needs to provide the detailed station-wise fare-by-station chart, the 5% hike will take a toll on short and long distances:
| Route | Current Fare | New Estimated Fare (5% Hike) |
| Minimum Fare | ₹10 | ₹11 |
| Majestic to Whitefield | ₹80 | ₹84 |
| Majestic to Bommasandra | ₹80 | ₹84 |
| Majestic to Challaghatta | ₹60 | ₹63 |
| Maximum Long Distance | ₹90 | ₹95 |
A Pattern of Rising Costs
The decision comes exactly one year after a rocky time for BMRCL’s pricing strategy. A huge 101.5% hike was proposed on February 9 last year and sparked massive public fury and politics muck-up between the BJP and Congress. The hike was eventually lowered under pressure to 71.5%. Though it was cut, the metro of Bengaluru is still significantly more expensive per kilometer than the Delhi or Hyderabad metros. This latest 5% "incremental" bid is perceived by many as an effort to counter rising operating costs and high debt levels linked to the Phase 2 and Phase 3 extensions.
Political Backdrop
Fares hikes in previous years have brought about a blame game between the State and Central governments on who was in the driver seat of fare hikes. But this time, the Karnataka state cabinet owned the decision. The government and officials in Congress claim the increased 5% is "minimal" and is essential to improve infrastructure and retain the quality that they see as necessary on the North-South (Green) and the East-West (Purple) corridors.
Commuter backlash
For the roughly 8 to 9 lakh daily travelers, the increase is the bitter pill to swallow. "Bengaluru already has the highest road tax, now the most expensive metro. It feels that the common man is being punished for taking public transport,” said an exasperated commuter at the Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Station (Majestic). Regular travellers will likely top up their smart cards or switch to the BMRCL mobile app, with the new rates starting to roll in Monday, February 9, to take advantage of any current digital discounts.
