Bengaluru metro fare hike pushes commuters to seek alternatives

Bengaluru’s metro commuters are feeling the impact of the recent fare hike, which has significantly increased travel costs. The Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) revised fares on February 9, raising the maximum fare from ₹60 to ₹90, following recommendations from the Fare Fixation Committee.

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BMRCL cited rising operational expenses as the reason for the increase, with staff costs alone rising by 42% since 2017 due to inflation and wage revisions. While authorities claim the revision was capped at 70%, daily commuters say the hike has placed an added financial burden on them.

Many regular metro users are now exploring alternative transport options, including personal vehicles and ride-sharing services. The metro, once a cost-effective and congestion-free alternative to Bengaluru’s traffic-clogged roads, is becoming less attractive to budget-conscious commuters.

With rising fares and no immediate fare relief in sight, concerns are growing that Bengaluru’s already severe traffic congestion could worsen as more people turn away from the metro. While BMRCL insists that the fare hike is necessary to ensure sustainable operations, commuters argue that the increase may discourage metro usage, defeating its purpose as a reliable urban transit system.