February 16, Bengaluru: Bengaluru Metro commuters are facing the repercussions of a sharp fare hike, which has led to a noticeable decline in daily ridership. The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) implemented the price increase in response to rising operational costs. However, many passengers, including students and working professionals, feel that the hike should have been introduced gradually rather than all at once. For many regular users, the sudden surge in fares has significantly impacted their monthly budgets.
The fare revision has also ignited political controversy. The BJP has blamed the Congress-led Karnataka government for the increase, while Congress has pointed to the central government’s role, specifically the Fare Fixation Committee. Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya raised the issue in Parliament, prompting Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to ask BMRCL to reconsider its pricing strategy. In response to the backlash, the Metro service rolled back fares by 33 percent on select routes. However, many commuters believe that the revised fares are still too high. As a result, over 1 lakh riders stopped using Namma Metro within just 72 hours of the fare hike announcement.
The fare increase, implemented on February 9, has caused a steady drop in ridership, with many passengers opting for BMTC buses instead. The daily average of 8.5 to 9 lakh passengers has sharply declined, leading to significant disruptions in revenue projections.
BMRCL justifies the fare hike by citing increased operational expenses, including a 42 percent rise in staff costs since 2017, a 34 percent increase in energy expenses, and a massive 366 percent surge in maintenance and administration costs. Additionally, the corporation faces loan repayment obligations, expected to reach Rs 2,776.58 crore by 2029-30. Despite these challenges, commuters continue to demand a more affordable, phased approach to fare adjustments to restore ridership and maintain the Metro’s accessibility for all.
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