Bengaluru’s relentless traffic troubles have worsened with the sharp 70-100% increase in Namma Metro fares, igniting public outrage and highlighting the city’s crippling mass transit system. Although the Karnataka government partially withdrew the hike, the damage was evident—ridership plummeted by 8-10% as many opted for private vehicles, further clogging the roads.
The root cause lies in years of public transport neglect. The BMTC bus fleet, with just 6,340 buses, is vastly insufficient for a city of over 1.35 crore people. Compounding the issue, a long-overdue suburban rail system, first conceptualized in 1983, is still moving at a snail’s pace, with only two corridors expected by late 2026.
A coordinated urban transport plan could have eased these issues, but the Bengaluru Metropolitan Land Transport Authority (BMLTA), created in 2022 to synchronize mobility efforts, remains non-operational. Meanwhile, the city’s vehicle count has surged to 1.22 crore, with a staggering 82 lakh two-wheelers squeezing into an overburdened road network.
Political blame games between the State and Centre over the Metro’s price surge and mounting debts continue, but commuters are left struggling. With unreliable buses, an expensive Metro, a stalled suburban rail, and unchecked auto fares, Bengaluru’s mobility crisis deepens. The need for a well-integrated, affordable, and efficient transport system is more urgent than ever.
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