Bengaluru’s Namma Metro has recently implemented a fare increase, leading to a noticeable decline in daily ridership. On February 10, 2025, the metro recorded a footfall of 8,28,149 passengers, marking a 6% decrease compared to the average Monday ridership earlier in the year.
The revised fare structure has raised concerns among commuters. For instance, the fare for the 6.7 km stretch between MG Road and Baiyappanahalli has doubled from ₹20 to ₹40. Similarly, journeys from Baiyappanahalli to Vidhana Soudha have seen an increase from ₹25 to ₹50. The maximum fare for distances over 25 km is now ₹90, making it the highest among metro systems in India.
In response to the fare hike, Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya criticised the move, stating that it has made the metro the most expensive urban transit system in the country. He emphasised that the increase contradicts the metro’s core purpose of providing economical and sustainable public transport.
The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has acknowledged the decline in ridership but attributes it to external factors, such as the Aero India 2025 event. Despite the drop, BMRCL anticipates generating an additional ₹55-60 lakh per day from the increased fares. The corporation has also indicated that it will review the fare hike decision based on passenger feedback.
The fare increase comes as the metro network has expanded from 42.3 km to 76 km since 2017, with plans to reach 175.55 km by 2026. BMRCL officials argue that the hike is necessary to support the larger network and cover rising operational costs.
Commuters, particularly students and daily travellers, have expressed dissatisfaction with the fare hike, with some opting for alternative modes of transportation. The new fare structure ranges from ₹10 for trips up to 2 km to ₹90 for journeys over 30 km, with certain routes experiencing increases of more than 50%. BMRCL has stated that it will consider passenger feedback in its review of the fare increase.
As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how the fare hike will impact long-term ridership and public perception of Bengaluru’s metro system.
