Bengaluru commuters launch Metro boycott over fare hike

Bengaluru commuters launch metro boycott after 5% fare hike, calling Namma Metro the costliest in India and pledging to switch to bikes

Bengaluru’s pride, the Namma Metro, has come under sharp criticism from its daily commuters after the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) announced yet another fare hike. The 5 percent increase has triggered widespread anger, with commuters accusing the corporation of prioritizing profits over public service.

Social media platforms are abuzz with posts calling for a boycott of the metro. Many commuters have pledged to switch to bikes and other alternatives, launching what they describe as a “bike ride campaign” against the fare hike. The campaign has quickly gained traction online, reflecting the frustration of passengers who feel the metro has become unaffordable.

This is not the first time BMRCL has faced backlash over fares. On February 9 last year, ticket prices were raised by over 100 percent, sparking strong protests. Following public outrage, fares were partially rolled back, but commuters say the latest hike shows the corporation has not learned from past mistakes.

Critics argue that the metro, often described as the lifeblood of Bengaluru, is losing its reputation as a people’s service. Instead, it is being seen as a “money-grubbing organization” that continually digs into the pockets of its customers. The boycott campaign reflects a growing sentiment that the metro is no longer serving the public interest.

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Adding to the anger is the fact that Bengaluru Metro has now earned the notoriety of being the most expensive metro system in the country. A comparison with other cities highlights the disparity: while Delhi Metro’s maximum fare is ₹64 and Chennai’s is ₹50, Bengaluru commuters pay up to ₹95 for longer distances. Even Mumbai and Hyderabad metros remain cheaper, despite covering comparable distances.

With the fare hike, Bengaluru’s metro system has become a symbol of rising urban costs, leaving many questioning whether the city’s lifeline is slipping out of reach for ordinary citizens. As the boycott campaign gathers momentum, the pressure is mounting on BMRCL to reconsider its pricing strategy and restore public trust in the service.

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