Bengaluru Metro hike exposed as inflated, FFC report reveals

Seven months after the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) shocked commuters with a steep fare hike, the Fare Fixation Committee (FFC) report has revealed that the corporation raised tariffs far beyond what was officially recommended. The findings, disclosed after Karnataka High Court intervention and mounting public pressure, challenge BMRCL’s justification for the February 2025 hike.

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At the time, BMRCL claimed crippling cost escalations, citing a 42% jump in staff costs, 34% in energy, and a 366% surge in maintenance and administration. Based on this, it sought fare hikes averaging 105% across categories. But the FFC’s independent assessment shows a far milder picture. Between 2017-18 and 2023-24, the Metro’s real operational cost per kilometre rose only 39.6%—from ₹6.22 to ₹8.68.

BMRCL double-counted expenses 

The gap stemmed from BMRCL’s accounting method. Instead of simple per-kilometre costs, it used a weighted index that double-counted expenses while overlooking network expansion from 42.3 km to 70.7 km.

The FFC recommended a 51.5% overall rise, averaging 6.9% annually, compared to BMRCL’s demand for 14%. It suggested freezing the minimum fare at ₹10, limiting medium-distance fares to ₹40 instead of the proposed ₹48, and capping long journeys at ₹80–₹90 rather than ₹123. The committee also rationalised slabs and urged Sunday and holiday concessions.

Despite these moderate suggestions, BMRCL implemented hikes of up to 130% in February, triggering public outrage and commuter protests across the city.