Annual Namma Metro Fare Hikes From February Spark Concern

16 Jan 2026 CW Team

The move comes barely a year after Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited implemented a sharp fare revision in February 2025, when ticket prices were raised by as much as 71 per cent. That revision made Namma Metro one of the most expensive urban rail systems in the country, and the prospect of further hikes has heightened concerns among regular users.

Commuters said the proposed annual increases would add to the financial burden on households that rely on public transport. Many argued that metro services are meant to be affordable and accessible, rather than positioned as a premium offering.

BMRCL had implemented the 2025 fare revision after accepting the Fare Fixation Committee’s recommendations, which are legally binding under Section 33 of the Metro Railways (Operations and Maintenance) Act, 2002. The same provision allows periodic fare revisions until a new committee is constituted.

Several passengers said rising fares are not matched by improvements in service quality. Overcrowding during peak hours, delays in completing new lines and gaps in last-mile connectivity continue to frustrate users.

Mobility experts have also criticised the proposal, arguing that commuters are already paying significantly more due to what they describe as a flawed interpretation of the fare formula. They warned that repeated increases without visible service enhancements could undermine public confidence in mass transit.

There is growing concern that sustained fare hikes could push commuters back towards private vehicles, worsening congestion on city roads. As many users see it, the choice increasingly appears to be between paying more for metro travel or losing valuable time in traffic—either way, the cost is borne by citizens.

Bengaluru commuters may soon face higher daily travel costs, with fares on Namma Metro set to rise annually from February following recommendations by the Fare Fixation Committee. The panel has proposed a year-on-year increase of up to five per cent in ticket prices. The move comes barely a year after Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited implemented a sharp fare revision in February 2025, when ticket prices were raised by as much as 71 per cent. That revision made Namma Metro one of the most expensive urban rail systems in the country, and the prospect of further hikes has heightened concerns among regular users. Commuters said the proposed annual increases would add to the financial burden on households that rely on public transport. Many argued that metro services are meant to be affordable and accessible, rather than positioned as a premium offering. BMRCL had implemented the 2025 fare revision after accepting the Fare Fixation Committee’s recommendations, which are legally binding under Section 33 of the Metro Railways (Operations and Maintenance) Act, 2002. The same provision allows periodic fare revisions until a new committee is constituted. Several passengers said rising fares are not matched by improvements in service quality. Overcrowding during peak hours, delays in completing new lines and gaps in last-mile connectivity continue to frustrate users. Mobility experts have also criticised the proposal, arguing that commuters are already paying significantly more due to what they describe as a flawed interpretation of the fare formula. They warned that repeated increases without visible service enhancements could undermine public confidence in mass transit. There is growing concern that sustained fare hikes could push commuters back towards private vehicles, worsening congestion on city roads. As many users see it, the choice increasingly appears to be between paying more for metro travel or losing valuable time in traffic—either way, the cost is borne by citizens.

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