Fare shock in Bengaluru: Metro rides get costlier, see what changes now

Bengaluru Metro commuters will pay more from February 9 as BMRCL rolls out a 5% fare hike across all routes. The increase applies to every ticket category and slab, making daily travel slightly costlier for office-goers, students and daily riders across the network.

Under the revised structure, fares go up by a minimum of Rs 1 and a maximum of Rs 5 across 10 slabs. The base fare moves from Rs 10 to Rs 11, while the highest ticket price increases from Rs 90 to Rs 95 for longer trips.

Already one of the most expensive metro systems in the country, Bengaluru Metro becomes pricier after last year’s hike of up to 71%. The latest revision adds pressure on commuters who depend on the service for daily travel.

BMRCL said the revision follows Fare Fixation Committee recommendations. Though operating costs rose by over 10%, the fare increase was capped at 5% to limit the burden on passengers using the metro regularly.

The corporation has introduced an annual automatic fare revision system. Instead of sudden jumps, fares will now rise gradually every year in line with inflation and operating expenses to avoid sharp shocks to commuters.

The hike applies across Bengaluru Metro’s entire 96-km operational network. With expanding routes and higher maintenance needs, BMRCL says steady revenue is essential to keep services reliable and frequent.

The 5% hike also applies to tourist cards and group tickets. Visitors and bulk travellers will now pay slightly more per ride while using the metro for short-term travel across Bengaluru.

BMRCL said the marginal hike is meant to ensure financial stability and service reliability. Officials argue small yearly revisions are better than sudden large increases that disrupt commuter budgets.