Bengaluru commuters may soon have to brace for higher daily travel costs, as Namma Metro fares are likely to see an annual increase starting February. The proposed revision follows recommendations by the Fare Fixation Committee (FFC), which has suggested a year-on-year hike of up to five per cent in ticket prices, according to The New Indian Express.
The development comes just a year after Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) carried out a sharp fare revision in February 2025, when ticket prices were increased by as much as 71 per cent. That revision made Namma Metro the costliest metro rail system in the country, intensifying concerns over affordability for regular users.
Commuter Backlash Over Rising Costs
The prospect of recurring annual fare hikes has sparked strong reactions from commuters, many of whom say public transport is becoming increasingly unaffordable for ordinary citizens.
“Metro travel is meant to be affordable, not a premium service,” said Vinod Kumar, a daily commuter. “After last year’s hike, this feels like adding insult to injury.”
BMRCL had implemented the 2025 fare revision after accepting the FFC’s recommendations, which are legally binding under Section 33 of the Metro Railways (Operations and Maintenance) Act, 2002. Under the same provisions, the metro operator is empowered to revise fares annually until a new Fare Fixation Committee is constituted.
Service Quality Concerns Persist
Commuters argue that the repeated fare increases are not matched by improvements on the ground. Overcrowding during peak hours, delays in network expansion, and gaps in last-mile connectivity continue to frustrate passengers.
“It may not be cheap, but calling it a luxury service is a joke when trains are packed beyond capacity during peak hours,” said Venkatesh, another regular passenger, according to The New Indian Express.
Mobility expert Satya Arikutharm criticised the proposed hike, calling it “a travesty of justice” and claiming that commuters are already paying significantly more due to what he described as a flawed application of the fare calculation formula.
“The meek acceptance of unfair fares seems to be encouraging BMRCL to impose yet another hike. Elected representatives must stand with citizens and hold the Metro accountable,” he said, according to The New Indian Express.
With no major improvement in service standards, commuters fear that continued fare increases could push people away from public transport and back onto already congested roads. As Venkatesh summed it up, “It’s either pay more for the Metro or lose hours stuck in traffic. Either way, citizens are paying the price,” the report added.