Tejasvi Surya seeks reduction in Bengaluru metro fares, calls hike ‘Unjustified’

Bengaluru South MP meets BMRCL officials, seeks reduction in Namma Metro fares, citing steep ticket prices compared to other Indian metro cities.

Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya has urged the Karnataka government to instruct the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) to withdraw or reduce the steep fare hike introduced in February 2025, calling it unfair to daily commuters, especially short-distance travellers.

On Tuesday, Surya met with senior BMRCL officials to discuss the fare structure and argued that the increased rates have made Namma Metro less affordable and accessible for regular users. He also compared Bengaluru’s revised fares with those of other major Indian cities, stating that Namma Metro’s rates are among the highest in the country.

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“In Bengaluru, a 20-25 km ride now costs ₹80, whereas in Delhi, a 32 km trip costs ₹64. In Mumbai, 12-18 km costs only ₹30. Here, a 10-15 km journey costs ₹60, nearly double. The maximum fare in Mumbai is ₹70, but Bengaluru commuters pay ₹90 for rides beyond 25 km. Metro fares in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Nagpur are 25-50% lower than ours,” Surya said.

BMRCL officials, during the meeting, reportedly informed him that most commuters travel between 12 km and 15 km daily, a segment directly hit by the fare increase. Surya argued that the hike was partly caused by the choice of the 2016-17 base year for fare revision instead of 2017-18, which led to inflated ticket prices.

“Because of this wrong base year, fares have unnecessarily increased. What costs ₹50 today could have been ₹40; ₹60 could have been ₹50; and ₹90 could have been ₹70,” Surya explained.

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He emphasised that affordable public transport is crucial for Bengaluru’s working population, urging BMRCL to revisit the fare calculation formula. Officials have sought time to review the data and respond to the MP’s suggestions before taking a decision.

The fare revision, which took effect earlier this year, has drawn criticism from daily commuters, students, and low-income workers, many of whom rely on the Metro as a faster alternative to the city’s congested roads.