Following a nearly 50% fare hike based on suggestions from the Fare Fixation Committee, Bengaluru’s Namma Metro has emerged as India’s most costly public transportation system.
The fare revision represents the biggest increase in recent years and adds differentiated pricing for peak and non-peak hours.
Bengaluru’s Namma Metro is India’s Most Costly Public Transportation System
The maximum fare for trips longer than 25 km has gone up from Rs 60 to Rs 90. Trips between 10 and 12 km now cost Rs 60, while those between 20 and 25 km now cost Rs 80.
For trips up to two kilometers, the minimum fare of Rs 10 stays the same. Smart cards now require a minimum balance of Rs 90 instead of Rs 50.
Daily metro users are worried that the fare increase will make them choose private vehicles over public transportation, which would exacerbate traffic in Bengaluru.
Many commuters are still dissatisfied with the fare increase even though the system offers smart card users a 5% discount during peak hours and a 10% discount during off-peak hours.
Other Indian metro systems have cheaper fares than Bengaluru. For a 40-kilometer trip, Ahmedabad Metro charges between Rs 5 and Rs 25; Pune Metro caps fares at Rs 40; Kolkata Metro charges between Rs 5 and Rs 25; and Delhi Metro has a maximum fare of Rs 60.
Why Was Fare Increased By BMRCL?
The fare increase was implemented by BMRCL in order to increase operational efficiency and finance the expansion of the metro network. Since the last fare revision in 2017, the metro network has expanded from 43.2 km to 76.95 km, with plans to reach 175.55 km by December 2026.
The fare increase is necessary as a result of the network’s expansion and growing operating costs, which include a 300% increase in maintenance costs because of frequent repairs and costly spare parts.
Nearly 30% of daily metro passengers are students, who are now financially burdened by the increased fares, according to the All India Democratic Students’ Organisation (AIDSO), which has denounced the fare hike and called for a 50% student concession.
The metro project, which was initially meant to encourage public transportation and lessen traffic, is now putting a financial burden on regular people and students, according to AIDSO.
