Bengaluru metro passengers may soon have to pay more for their daily commute.
The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has proposed a 5 percent increase in Namma Metro fares, and the plan is now waiting for approval from the Karnataka government.
This comes barely a year after a sharp fare hike of up to 71 percent, which already made Bengaluru’s metro among the most expensive in the country.
What the New Fare Hike Proposal Means
If approved, metro ticket prices will increase by ₹1 to ₹5, depending on the distance travelled.
For example, long-distance routes like Majestic to Whitefield or Bommasandra could see fares rise from ₹80 to around ₹84.
Shorter trips such as Majestic to Challaghatta may go up from ₹60 to ₹63.
BMRCL has said this gradual hike is needed to manage rising operational and maintenance costs.
Why BMRCL Wants the Increase Now
Metro officials have reportedly told the state government that delaying the hike could create bigger problems later.
According to them, if fares are not increased now, commuters may face a larger hike of up to 10 percent next year.
The metro authority argues that small, regular increases are better than sudden, steep jumps.
Commuters and Leaders Push Back
The proposal has triggered strong reactions from regular metro users and political leaders.
Many commuters say they are already struggling after last year’s sharp fare hike, especially with rising fuel prices and living costs.
South Bengaluru MP Tejasvi Surya has openly opposed the proposal, calling it “unscientific.”
He has warned of protests at metro stations and asked authorities to review how fare decisions are made, stressing the need for transparency and public interest.
Why Metro Fares Keep Going Up
BMRCL’s fare changes are based on recommendations from the Fare Fixation Committee (FFC).
The committee pointed out that metro fares were unchanged for years after 2017, while costs kept rising.
However, the 2025 hike was much higher than what the committee initially suggested.
This led to public anger, court cases, and renewed scrutiny of the fare revision process.
Metro operators say high maintenance costs and network expansion make fare revisions unavoidable.
Commuters, on the other hand, argue that public transport must remain affordable.
What Happens Next
The final decision now rests with the Karnataka government.
With public opposition growing and political pressure mounting, the state will need to carefully weigh financial needs against the risk of losing commuter trust.
For now, Bengaluru’s metro users are waiting to see whether another fare hike becomes a reality.
