Bengaluru: BMTC sees surge in ridership and revenue following metro fare hike

Bengaluru’s public transport dynamics have shifted notably following Namma Metro’s fare revision in February, resulting in a sharp increase in both ridership and revenue for the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC). Daily earnings for BMTC have climbed from ₹6.90 crore to ₹7.25 crore, a gain of ₹35 lakh per day.

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As metro fares rose, many regular commuters shifted to BMTC buses, attracted by lower costs and better last-mile connectivity. This change has pushed average daily bus ridership from 40 lakh to 42 lakh. In response, BMTC has ramped up its services, increasing its fleet strength from 6,900 to 8,900 buses and expanding daily trips from 54,000 to 62,000.

While BMTC benefits from the shift, Namma Metro experienced a temporary drop in footfall. Ridership fell from 8.2 lakh to around 7.1–7.2 lakh in March, a decline of nearly 13%. However, by April, numbers began recovering, with daily averages touching 7.7 lakh and peaking at over 9 lakh on April 17 — one of the highest in its history.

Projections indicate BMTC could gain an additional ₹10.5 crore monthly if the current trend continues. Transport authorities are now focusing on optimizing routes and fleet deployment to cater to rising demand. However, with new metro lines nearing completion, future commuter patterns remain uncertain. The developments highlight the importance of affordable and efficient public transport in managing Bengaluru’s urban mobility challenges.