Bengaluru's Namma Metro commuters volition person to ammunition retired much for metro question arsenic the revised fare operation comes into effect from February 9. The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has implemented a 50 per cent fare hike, raising the maximum fare from Rs 60 to Rs 90 portion keeping the minimum fare unchanged astatine Rs 10 for the archetypal 2 km. The move, based connected recommendations by the Fare Fixation Committee (FFC), has triggered nationalist outrage, with galore arguing that the hike is unjustified fixed the city's metro work limitations.
How overmuch much Benglauru Metro is charging successful examination to Delhi?
Bengaluru's Namma Metro, the second-largest metro web successful India aft Delhi Metro, recorded its highest regular ridership of 9.2 lakh successful December 2024. However, overcrowding and debased frequence stay persistent complaints contempt regular gross crossing Rs 2 crore.
When compared to metro fares successful Delhi and Mumbai, Bengaluru’s revised fare operation is present the costliest. While Delhi Metro’s maximum fare stands astatine Rs 60 and Mumbai Metro’s astatine Rs 80, Bengaluru commuters volition present person to wage up to Rs 90 for longer distances.
Fare comparison: Bengaluru vs Delhi vs Mumbai
In Delhi Metro, fares commencement astatine Rs 10 for distances up to 2 km, expanding to Rs 20 for 2-5 km, Rs 30 for 5-12 km, Rs 40 for 12-21 km, Rs 50 for 21-32 km, and capping astatine Rs 60 for distances beyond 32 km.
Mumbai Metro follows a akin pricing model, opening astatine Rs 10 for up to 3 km, Rs 20 for 3-12 km, Rs 30 for 12-18 km, Rs 40 for 18-24 km, Rs 50 for 24-30 km, Rs 60 for 30-36 km, Rs 70 for 36-42 km, and peaking astatine Rs 80 for distances beyond 42 km.
Meanwhile, Bengaluru Metro's revised fare operation starts astatine Rs 10 for 0-2 km, Rs 20 for 2-4 km, Rs 30 for 4-6 km, Rs 40 for 6-8 km, Rs 50 for 8-10 km, Rs 60 for 10-15 km, Rs 70 for 15-20 km, Rs 80 for 20-25 km, and a maximum fare of Rs 90 for distances supra 25 km, making it the astir costly metro successful the country.
Why did Bengaluru Metro hike its fares?
The fare hike follows the recommendations of the Fare Fixation Committee, which submitted its study connected December 16, 2024. The three-member panel, headed by retired Madras High Court justice Justice R Tharani, included Satyendra Pal Singh, Additional Secretary astatine the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, and EV Ramana Reddy, erstwhile Additional Chief Secretary of Karnataka. The committee examined metro systems successful India and globally earlier suggesting a tariff revision aimed astatine balancing affordability with fiscal sustainability.
Public outrage implicit Metro and autobus fare hike
The fare hike has triggered crisp disapproval from Bengaluru commuters, who reason that Namma Metro’s frequency, last-mile connectivity, and infrastructure bash not warrant specified precocious fares. Many person pointed retired that Delhi Metro, contempt its little fares, offers amended connectivity and much predominant trains. Adding to commuters’ woes, the Karnataka authorities has besides accrued autobus fares by 15 per cent, making nationalist transport successful Bengaluru importantly costlier.
One of the netizens said, "BMRCL is not a backstage institution to request and loot wealth from the public. Delhi, with specified a agelong network, doesn’t complaint much than Rs 50, and you idiots are charging Rs 90. Now I volition similar my ain vehicle."
Another idiosyncratic expressed frustration, saying, "Overnight, Bengaluru Metro fares person doubled. What are these radical adjacent thinking? Vajarahalli to Jayanagar utilized to outgo Rs 23.75, present it is Rs 47.50. Horrible determination by the Karnataka government."