<p>A youth organisation in Bengaluru is campaigning for introducing student metro passes, and feeder buses to college and pre-university campuses. Using private vehicles or cabs on a regular basis is out of their means, students say. This leaves them with fewer options.</p>.<p>Since launching their petition a month ago, Collective Bangalore has gathered 450 signatures from students across 30-plus colleges. They plan to approach authorities after reaching 1,000 signatures.</p>.<p>The campaign was triggered by the 71% metro fare hike earlier this year. Students were already grappling with overcrowded BMTC buses and the steep cost of last-mile rides. They say affordable metro fares and better last-mile connectivity will address their concerns.</p>.<p>Shalom Gauri, a member of the collective, notes that Hyderabad offers metro passes to students, so making a similar demand in Bengaluru is only “fair”. The Bengaluru Metro Commuters’ Association had also pushed for student concessions during fare hike protests. Its convenor Rajesh Bhat points out that many engineering colleges lie on the outskirts, which are well connected by metro. But it does not make up for the high ticket price. </p>.<p><strong>Evening batch concerns</strong></p>.<p>With some colleges introducing evening batches that end after 8.30 pm, Shalom says students face twin issues of reduced bus frequency and increased crowding. “Safety is also a concern when bus stops are far away from the institution,” she adds. A recent graduate recalled how he narrowly escaped a mugging while <br>walking home to Shivajinagar after waiting too long for a bus. His friends from areas without metro access, like Banaswadi and RT Nagar, often reached home very late due to infrequent buses, he added. </p>.Bengaluru auto drivers reject 20% fare hike; plan protest .<p>A fourth-year student from Kengeri says her daily metro expenses have risen by about Rs 40 — money she could previously spend on last-mile autos. The metro fare hike hasn’t eased congestion or improved frequency, she rues.</p>.<p>A second-year student says his commute involves a bus ride, then a metro ride, followed by a 20-minute walk or Rs 30-ride in ‘share autos’, which ply unofficially for short distances. Bus <br>378, which he takes to Konanakunte Cross metro station, runs only once every 30 minutes during rush hour. Sometimes it is so crowded, it makes him nauseous. But during off-peak hours, five buses on the same route arrive within 10 minutes.</p>.<p>Other students emphasise that education goes beyond classes. It includes accessing libraries, coaching centres, and extracurricular facilities, which add to transport costs.</p>.<p><strong>‘Experiences shape use’</strong></p>.<p>Lekha Adavi, Karnataka convenor, All India Students’ Association, argues that amid rising tuition fees and stagnant family incomes, student travel, whether by bus or metro, should be free. “Students face issues of connectivity, infrequency, and affordability. At least affordability can be addressed,” she says, warning that without support, dropout rates may increase. She adds that the problem is especially acute for students from oppressed or working-class backgrounds who travel long distances to attend government institutions in central Bengaluru.</p>.<p>Public transport campaigner Srinivas Alavilli notes that students are the biggest patrons of both buses and metro, though they use the metro less due to higher fares. He adds that early experiences with public transport influence whether people, especially women, continue to use it in the future.</p>.<p><strong>‘300+ chartered buses for students’<br></strong>BMTC operates feeder buses from 46 of 60 metro stations to residential areas serving many colleges along the routes, says G TPrabhakar Reddy, chief traffic manager (operation). He added that BMTC started feeder services to Mount Carmel College, Vasanthnagar, after a request, and denied any reduction in frequency<br>since the Shakti scheme rollout. BMTC also provides over 300 chartered bus services for students on “routes designed” by their schools and colleges”. Namma Metro currently provides a 5% discount on smart cards.</p>
<p>A youth organisation in Bengaluru is campaigning for introducing student metro passes, and feeder buses to college and pre-university campuses. Using private vehicles or cabs on a regular basis is out of their means, students say. This leaves them with fewer options.</p>.<p>Since launching their petition a month ago, Collective Bangalore has gathered 450 signatures from students across 30-plus colleges. They plan to approach authorities after reaching 1,000 signatures.</p>.<p>The campaign was triggered by the 71% metro fare hike earlier this year. Students were already grappling with overcrowded BMTC buses and the steep cost of last-mile rides. They say affordable metro fares and better last-mile connectivity will address their concerns.</p>.<p>Shalom Gauri, a member of the collective, notes that Hyderabad offers metro passes to students, so making a similar demand in Bengaluru is only “fair”. The Bengaluru Metro Commuters’ Association had also pushed for student concessions during fare hike protests. Its convenor Rajesh Bhat points out that many engineering colleges lie on the outskirts, which are well connected by metro. But it does not make up for the high ticket price. </p>.<p><strong>Evening batch concerns</strong></p>.<p>With some colleges introducing evening batches that end after 8.30 pm, Shalom says students face twin issues of reduced bus frequency and increased crowding. “Safety is also a concern when bus stops are far away from the institution,” she adds. A recent graduate recalled how he narrowly escaped a mugging while <br>walking home to Shivajinagar after waiting too long for a bus. His friends from areas without metro access, like Banaswadi and RT Nagar, often reached home very late due to infrequent buses, he added. </p>.Bengaluru auto drivers reject 20% fare hike; plan protest .<p>A fourth-year student from Kengeri says her daily metro expenses have risen by about Rs 40 — money she could previously spend on last-mile autos. The metro fare hike hasn’t eased congestion or improved frequency, she rues.</p>.<p>A second-year student says his commute involves a bus ride, then a metro ride, followed by a 20-minute walk or Rs 30-ride in ‘share autos’, which ply unofficially for short distances. Bus <br>378, which he takes to Konanakunte Cross metro station, runs only once every 30 minutes during rush hour. Sometimes it is so crowded, it makes him nauseous. But during off-peak hours, five buses on the same route arrive within 10 minutes.</p>.<p>Other students emphasise that education goes beyond classes. It includes accessing libraries, coaching centres, and extracurricular facilities, which add to transport costs.</p>.<p><strong>‘Experiences shape use’</strong></p>.<p>Lekha Adavi, Karnataka convenor, All India Students’ Association, argues that amid rising tuition fees and stagnant family incomes, student travel, whether by bus or metro, should be free. “Students face issues of connectivity, infrequency, and affordability. At least affordability can be addressed,” she says, warning that without support, dropout rates may increase. She adds that the problem is especially acute for students from oppressed or working-class backgrounds who travel long distances to attend government institutions in central Bengaluru.</p>.<p>Public transport campaigner Srinivas Alavilli notes that students are the biggest patrons of both buses and metro, though they use the metro less due to higher fares. He adds that early experiences with public transport influence whether people, especially women, continue to use it in the future.</p>.<p><strong>‘300+ chartered buses for students’<br></strong>BMTC operates feeder buses from 46 of 60 metro stations to residential areas serving many colleges along the routes, says G TPrabhakar Reddy, chief traffic manager (operation). He added that BMTC started feeder services to Mount Carmel College, Vasanthnagar, after a request, and denied any reduction in frequency<br>since the Shakti scheme rollout. BMTC also provides over 300 chartered bus services for students on “routes designed” by their schools and colleges”. Namma Metro currently provides a 5% discount on smart cards.</p>