Bengaluru Namma Metro Faces Backlash Over Fare Hike, Loses Over 6 Lakh Passengers
Bengaluru’s Namma Metro, already under scrutiny for its recent fare increase, has reportedly lost more than six lakh passengers since the revised fares were implemented, according to Bengaluru Central MP PC Mohan. He has called for an immediate reversal of the fare hike to recover the lost ridership, as many commuters have turned to alternative transport options for their daily travels.
The loss of over 6.26 lakh passengers since the fare adjustment on February 9 has drawn sharp criticism from PC Mohan, who blamed the Karnataka government for the situation. In a post on X, the BJP MP accused the Congress-led state administration of mismanagement, warning that it would have severe repercussions for Bengaluru’s public transport system.
In response, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah shifted the blame to the central government. While acknowledging that the Karnataka government proposed the fare hike, he emphasized that the final decision was made by a central committee. “It was not solely the State Government’s decision to increase fares. While we proposed the revision, it was only approved after a central committee’s review,” he stated.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also pointed out that local authorities are better suited to handle regional concerns and decisions regarding Metro projects. He suggested that questions about the fare hike should be addressed to the Chief Minister.
In light of mounting criticism, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah instructed BMRCL Managing Director M Maheshwar Rao to review the fare changes, especially where the increases were most significant. As a result, the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) revised the fare structure, reducing the maximum hike from 100% to 71%, though the base fare of ₹10 and the highest fare of ₹90 remain unchanged.
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