So it is a relief for Namma Metro travelers that the proposed 5 per cent increase to fares, expected to start on Monday, February 9, 2026, has been put on temporary hold. The Union Government moved towards intervention following a detailed appeal of the Local MP, Tejasvi Surya of Bengaluru.
Millions of Metro commuters in Bengaluru have been given a last-minute breather, after MoHUA ordered for the proposed fare bump slated for Monday's start to be put on hold. The move comes after Tejasvi Surya, the MP for Bengaluru South, held an extensive discussion with Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, in which he pointed out the heavy financial burden another hike would impose on the city’s residents.
The “Most Costly Metro” Argument
Surya pointed out in the debate that Bengaluru’s Namma Metro is the most expensive metro system in India at present. The proposed 5 percent increase, which would have placed maximum fares at ₹95, to say nothing of the blowback it would likely bring to people's hopes, was in some quarters seen as an affront to public transport’s purpose putting lakhs who travel daily on their purses out of reach for commuters and students. “ Minister Khattar has instructed that the proposed hike be kept temporarily on hold,” he stated. “It will not take effect from Monday,” Surya in a release. “He also assured a personal review of anomalies in the Fare Fixation Committee, and said a fresh committee can be considered if the State requests it.”
Had a detailed phone conversation with Union MoHUA Minister Sri @mlkhattar Ji now, seeking his immediate intervention against the State Government’s unjust Bengaluru Metro fare hike proposed to start from Monday.
— Tejasvi Surya (@Tejasvi_Surya) February 7, 2026
I pointed out that Bengaluru already has the costliest Metro fares… https://t.co/14m9WaEIHf pic.twitter.com/no5U8wrZow
Political Tug-of-War
The fare hike has been a main flashpoint between the BJP-led Center and the Congress-led State Government. The view of the State: CM Siddaramaiah has defended the hike in the past, arguing that the State has no legal ground to stop the revision, as it was required by an independent, centrally-constituted FFC under Metro Railways Act, 2002.
Center’s Response
The BJP leaders blamed the State for "hiding behind lies," which they said should not be the case if the BMRCL board (which is made up of 50% state representatives) had put forward their request for a new FFC and could rationalize fares much sooner. What Happens Next? Once the hike is suspended, CM Siddaramaiah is now at the center of attention.
The Union Minister has indicated that the Center will be open to forming a new Fare Fixation Committee upon formal request from the State Government. That committee would be able to reassess operating costs and in some cases pull down base fares. For now, ticket prices (₹10 to ₹90) are to remain the same on Monday. Commuters are instructed to continue using their Smart Cards and NCMC cards to claim the existing 5% and 10% discounts.
