Bengaluru Metro Fare Hiked 50%: Triggers Boycott Call For Namma Metro, Commuters Demand Rollback

The recent 50% metro fare hike announced by the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has sparked intense reactions from Bangalore residents. The new pricing structure for Bangalore metro, effective from February 9, 2025, has made traveling via metro more expensive, which resulted in widespread frustration among the common people. The fare hike has become a hot topic on social media, with many commuters stating that it is "unfair" and urging others to boycott Bengaluru Metro.

Details of the Metro Fare Revision

The new pricing structure introduced by BMRCL, the fares have been revised for various travel distances effective from 9th February. The new fares are as follows:

Distance	Revised Fare
0-2 km	Rs. 10
2-4 km	Rs,20
4-6 km	Rs.30
6-8 km	Rs.40
8-10 km	Rs. 50
10-12 km	Rs. 60
15-20 km	Rs. 70
20-25 km	Rs. 80
25-30 km and above	Rs. 90

Additionally, the minimum balance requirement on metro cards has been increased from Rs.50 to Rs.90. This has come as a double blow to commuters, especially those who use the metro regularly for short-distance travel.

Commuter Reactions and Calls for Metro Boycott

The Bengaluru metro fare revision has affected several key routes and has become particularly burdensome for daily commuters, including students and office-goers who were used to the more affordable rates of the previous fare structure.

For instance, one commuter traveling from Benniganahalli to Nallurhalli on the purple line expressed her frustration, noting that her fare for a 13-kilometer journey had increased from Rs.23 to Rs.47. She pointed out that this increase nearly doubles the previous fare, which she feels is unaffordable for many, especially given the economic pressures that commuters face on a daily basis.

Additionally, many young people, who are mostly dependent on the metro for commuting, feel that the hike would make the Bengaluru Metro unaffordable for them out of their budget. This has led to widespread calls on social media platforms for a metro boycott to protest the fare increase.

BMRCL's Response to Public Outcry

In response to the growing discontent, BMRCL has introduced a peak and off-peak hour fare system to try and mitigate the situation currently. For people who are using smart cards, they will receive a 5% discount during peak hours and a 10% discount for travel during off-peak hours, which are defined as travel before 8 am, between 12 pm and 4 pm, and after 9 pm on weekdays.

While these discounts might ease the financial strain for some commuters, many travelers are still unconvinced and are calling the revised fare structure as completely unfair, especially for those who rely on the metro during rush hours.