Bengaluru Metro fares up 45% on average from Feb 9, maximum price increased to Rs 90

Bengaluru: Metro rides in Bengaluru will get costlier from Sunday, as the revised fare structure will come into effect, resulting in a net average hike of 45-46 per cent after discounts, according to a senior BMRCL official in the know.

DH was the first to report the development regarding the fare fixation committee recommending the fare hike. While the base fare for the first 2 kilometres remains Rs 10, the maximum fare has increased by 50 per cent from Rs 60 to Rs 90, a decision approved by the BMRCL Board on January 17.

The minimum balance on the smart metro cards has also gone up from Rs 50 to Rs 90 (80 per cent). 

On some routes, the hike will be as as much as 51.5 per cent, while the lowest increase (excluding the base fare) will be 30 per cent. After accounting for discounts on Sundays and off-peak hours, the net average hike will be 45-46 per cent, the official told DH. 

The BMRCL aims to earn an additional Rs 55 lakh to Rs 60 lakh per day, down from its earlier estimate of Rs 80-90 lakh, due to the discounts. However, it also reasonably expects a 1 per cent - 2 per cent fall in daily ridership, the official said. 

The Namma Metro network, which currently stands at 76.95 km, serves over eight lakh passengers per day on average.

The three-member Fare Fixation Committee headed by Justice (retired) R Tharani recommended the retention of 5 per cent discount on smart cards and offering an additional 5 per cent discount on smart cards for travel during off-peak hours (from opening hours till 8 am, noon to 4 pm, and 9 pm to closing hours on weekdays).

Additionally, a discount of 10 per cent will be applicable throughout the day on all Sundays and three national holidays (January 26, August 15 and October 02). With these discounts, the increase on Sundays and national holidays is between 36 per cent to 38 per cent, the official explained. 

No discounts will be offered on WhatsApp QR code tickets. 

The last fare hike was in June 2017, where fares rose by 10 per cent to 15 per cent. Considering this, the average increase per year over this period of seven-and-a-half years will be roughly 6 per cent, the official noted. 

Apart from this, the tourist day pass fares and group ticket fares have also been revised. One-day tourist pass is now Rs 300, a three-day pass costs Rs 600, and a five-day pass costs Rs 800. 

Group ticket discounts have been increased by 5 per cent. Earlier, a group ticket for 25 to 99 people had a 10 per cent discount over token fare. Now, this has increased to 15 per cent if the group enters and exits together from the same station. However, there will be no discount on the flat fare per person for entry/exit at different stations. 

The flat fare per person for a group of 100 to 1,000 is Rs 60 and for a group of over 1,000 people is Rs 50 per person. 

Bangalore Central MP, PC Mohan, called the fare hike "an unfair burden on commuters" and feared that it would force many toward private vehicles and worsen traffic congestion. 

"What justifies this steep increase? Public transport must be affordable. BMRCL must ensure transparency; publish the Fare Fixation Committee report," he said. 

Prakash Mandoth, president, Bengaluru Metro and Suburban Rail Passengers' Association, called the fare hike “unfortunate and not traveller-friendly”. In a memorandum submitted to the chairperson of the Fare Fixation Committee, he requested the committee to defer the fare hike for a year, besides suggesting the BMRCL to tap into non-fare revenue such as property development revenue and branding and advertising at stations.

He also emphasised that the BMRCL fast-track the Yellow and Blue Lines to connect the Kempegowda International Airport to the city to bring more ridership and thus, revenue. Additionally, first- and last-mile connectivity with e-scooter or e-rickshaw, at least in major junctions, can improve metro ridership, he said.