'Since when buses cheaper than rail?': Metro user flags high prices in Bengaluru Metro

The absence of a metro monthly pass in Bengaluru has led to growing dissatisfaction among daily commuters, especially amid the ongoing fare revision by the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL). A recent viral post by a city resident has reignited discussions on the high cost of metro travel compared to bus services.

Also Read: Mohandas Pai criticizes Bengaluru Metro fare hike; sparks debate online

For instance, a commuter traveling daily between Madavara and Whitefield currently spends ₹180 on a round-trip. Even with a five-day pass priced at ₹750, the savings amount to just ₹30 per week. Over a year, assuming a five-day workweek, this expenditure adds up to nearly ₹40,000. In contrast, a Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) AC bus pass costs ₹24,000 annually, while a non-AC pass is even lower at ₹14,400, making bus travel significantly cheaper. 

Bengaluru Metro : A man travels from Madavara to Whitefield route & spends ₹180 (2-way). He decides to buy 5-day pass which costs ₹750 (₹150/day) to save ₹30

If he attends office all 5 days for 52 weeks, he would need budget of nearly ₹40,000 per year.

In BMTC, with… pic.twitter.com/cWS9wHv61Z

— Karthik Reddy (@bykarthikreddy)

Bengaluru Metro : A man travels from Madavara to Whitefield route & spends ₹180 (2-way). He decides to buy 5-day pass which costs ₹750 (₹150/day) to save ₹30

If he attends office all 5 days for 52 weeks, he would need budget of nearly ₹40,000 per year.

In BMTC, with… pic.twitter.com/cWS9wHv61Z

— Karthik Reddy (@bykarthikreddy) February 14, 2025

">February 14, 2025

Many commuters have expressed frustration over this disparity, calling for an integrated and affordable public transport system. There have been increasing demands for a single pass system that covers both metro and bus travel, with fare adjustments based on distance covered.

The ongoing debate highlights the need for a cost-effective solution that ensures metro travel remains accessible for daily commuters while promoting seamless connectivity within Bengaluru’s public transport network.