Commuters in Bengaluru will have to pay more for metro rides as the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has announced a fare hike of nearly 50%, effective from Sunday, February 9, 2025. The increase comes following the recommendations of the Fare Fixation Committee (FFC), making metro travel more expensive across all distances.
In addition to the price hike, BMRCL has also introduced separate tariffs for peak and non-peak hours, similar to ride-hailing services like Ola and Uber. Under the new fare structure, the maximum fare has been raised from ₹60 to ₹90, while the minimum balance required on metro smart cards has increased from ₹50 to ₹90.
Revised Metro Fare Structure
Peak and Non-Peak Hour Pricing
BMRCL has introduced time-based pricing, offering discounts during non-peak hours. Commuters using smart cards will receive a 5% discount during peak hours and a 10% discount during off-peak hours, based on the time of entry into the metro system.
BMRCL Defends Fare Hike Amid Political Criticism
BMRCL stated that the fare revision was in line with the Metro Railway O&M Act, Section 37, which mandates that the recommendations of the Fare Fixation Committee are binding. The corporation confirmed that the revised fare structure had received board approval.
The fare hike comes shortly after a 15% increase in government bus fares in Karnataka, raising concerns about rising travel costs for daily commuters.
Interestingly, the hike follows a statement by Bengaluru Central MP P C Mohan, who last month claimed that the fare revision had been put on hold. “BMRCL’s proposed 45% metro fare hike, set for Feb 1, has been put on hold. The Modi government has directed BMRCL to submit a comprehensive report before making any decision,” Mr. Mohan had posted on X (formerly Twitter), calling it a “big win” for transparency and fair pricing.
However, with the new fare structure now in effect, Bengaluru’s metro commuters will have to brace for higher travel expenses as the city’s public transport costs continue to rise.
Sources By Agencies
