NEW DELHI: Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah has called for an immediate review of the recent fare hike for Bengaluru’s Namma Metro, with some fares more than doubling in certain sections.
In a tweet on Thursday, Siddaramaiah directed the Managing Director of the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) to urgently address the issue, stating, “The way BMRCL has implemented the fare revision has led to anomalies, with fares more than doubling in certain sections. I have asked the MD of BMRCL to urgently address these issues and reduce fares where increases are abnormal.”
The fare hike, implemented on Monday, saw a sharp spike in prices, with many office-goers and students expressing their inability to afford the revised fares.
Many have complained that the steep rise in fares will discourage people from using public transport in a city already plagued by traffic congestion.
Social media campaigns demanding a rollback of the fare revision quickly gained traction, with passengers claiming that the increase far exceeded the 47% hike originally proposed by BMRCL.
For instance, commuters traveling from SV Road to Pattandur Agrahara saw their fares jump from Rs 33.50 to Rs 60, with the cost of a round trip now exceeding Rs 120.
The fare hike, which affects passengers traveling between 10 to 15 km, now charges up to Rs 60 for such distances, prompting commuters like Kushi M to decry the increase as “loot.” Others, such as Charan Raj, said the hike makes it more economical to use personal vehicles instead of Metro, despite the environmental benefits.
In a political tug-of-war, Karnataka’s transport minister Ramalinga Reddy clarified that the state had no role in the fare increase, with the decision being primarily driven by a central committee.
However, BJP MPs from Bengaluru have blamed the state government for pushing the revision, with calls for the fare fixation committee to be reconstituted.
The fare revision has already affected ridership numbers, with a noticeable dip in Metro passengers in the days following the increase.
BMRCL recorded 8.3 lakh passengers on February 10, a drop of 40,000 from the previous Monday. Regular commuters, particularly students, have voiced concerns over the affordability of daily travel, with some now opting for alternative modes of transport, including buses and private vehicles.
Commuters are now opting for alternative transport options like BMTC buses and private vehicles due to the unaffordability of the revised fares.
The fare revision, which has been in the works since 2017, has caused considerable strain on students, daily passengers, and lower-income groups.
With no student discounts on Metro travel, many are now shifting to city buses, where fare structures remain more affordable. Experts warn that the fare hike may have long-term consequences on the city’s public transport system, especially for those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds who rely on mass transit for their daily commute.