Boarding Change: Bengaluru Billionaire Ditches Car for Metro Ride

In a refreshing shift from luxury to local, Bengaluru-based billionaire and Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw opted for the city’s Namma Metro over her usual private transport on Tuesday. Her reason? Escaping the gridlock that Bengaluru’s roads are notorious for—and the result was a pleasant surprise.

Sharing her experience on X (formerly Twitter), Shaw praised the efficiency of the Purple Line and extended thanks to the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) for what she called a “great ride.”

Accompanying her was Jennifer Erich, her friend and self-described “Metro Mentor,” who works as a Geoscience Manager at Exxon Mobil. Erich replied to the post, expressing delight at introducing Shaw to the metro system and hosting her at her office.

Shaw wrote:
“Took the Purple Line from Whitefield to Vidhana with my Namma Metro friend Jennifer Erich, the Iron Lady of Exxon Mobil. Such a quick way to avoid traffic. Great ride. Thanks BMRCL.”

The post drew applause online, with many praising her choice and calling for more elites to embrace public transit. Comments noted how high-profile individuals using mass transit can shift public perception and push systemic improvements in urban mobility.

Namma Metro, Bengaluru’s rapid transit system, is jointly operated by central and state governments, with two operational lines: Purple and Green.

Shaw now joins the growing list of India’s wealthy choosing efficiency and sustainability over excess.

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