BMRCL Revises Bengaluru Metro Fare Hike Following Massive Backlash
The Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has decided to roll back the recent metro fare hike following significant public backlash. The fare reduction, which goes up to 30%, comes after Bengaluru residents voiced their concerns over the sudden price surge.
BMRCL Managing Director Maheshwar Rao announced that the board had reviewed commuter feedback and identified abnormal fare jumps, leading to immediate corrective measures.
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Public Outcry Forces Fare Revisions
The initial fare hike, implemented just days ago, had triggered widespread criticism on social media platforms. The hashtag #BoycottMetro gained momentum, with thousands of daily commuters expressing frustration over the steep increase in ticket prices.
Many pointed out that the fare revision made metro travel significantly costlier, forcing them to consider alternative transportation options.
In response, BMRCL held multiple meetings to assess the situation. Rao confirmed that the board took into account various public suggestions and identified specific fare points that needed adjustment.
“We have carefully reviewed the fare fixation committee’s recommendations and have addressed fare hikes that were abnormally high at certain points. The revised fares will provide relief to at least 30-45% of metro users,” said Rao.
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Metro Ridership Declines Amid Price Surge
Before the revision, Bengaluru Metro typically recorded 8.5 to 9 lakh daily passengers. However, following the fare increase, ridership dropped significantly, with 20,000 to 30,000 commuters opting out of metro travel daily.
On February 11 (Sunday), ridership fell to 7.75 lakh, marking a clear decline. The downward trend continued on February 12 (Monday), with only 8.04 lakh commuters using the metro—a sharp drop from normal figures.
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Revenue Surge Despite Ridership Dip
Although the fare hike resulted in reduced metro usage, it initially led to a substantial revenue boost for BMRCL.
- Before the hike, Bengaluru Metro generated approximately Rs 2 crore per day.
- On February 9, metro revenue jumped to Rs 3 crore.
- By February 12, daily earnings peaked at Rs 3.91 crore, nearly doubling previous figures.
While this surge in revenue was financially beneficial, the drop in daily passengers raised concerns about long-term metro usage trends.
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Immediate Implementation of Revised Metro Fares
To mitigate the impact of the price increase and regain public trust, BMRCL has announced an immediate fare reduction of up to 30%.
“We have ensured that the changes are effective from today. The board functions with the passenger’s interest in mind, and all final decisions align with the fare fixation committee’s guidelines,” Rao emphasized.
With this revision, metro officials hope to win back daily commuters who had temporarily abandoned metro travel due to the steep fare hike.
The revised fare structure aims to strike a balance between revenue generation and commuter affordability, ensuring that Bengaluru Metro remains a preferred mode of transport for city residents.
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