Bengaluru’s commuters are set to feel a slight pinch in their pockets as the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) announced a 5% fare increase effective February 9. This move comes after careful calculations based on operational costs and inflation adjustments, capping the rise at the maximum permissible limit.
BMRCL’s public relations officer, BL Yashwant Chavan, explained that an annual formula dictates fare revisions, typically ranging between 4% and 5%. This year’s computation indicated a need for 10% hike, but adhering to guidelines from the Fare Fixation Committee (FFC), it was limited to 5%. The minimum fare jumps from ₹10 to ₹11, while the maximum rises from ₹90 to ₹95 across the network.
This adjustment follows significant changes recommended by the FFC over seven and a half years ago, which reduced fare zones from 29 to 10 and resulted in an average 51.55% increase at the time. To prevent future shocks, the committee advocated for transparent, automatic annual revisions tied to the lower of operational cost increases or 5%, rounded to the nearest rupee.
Spanning 96.10 kilometers with 10 fare zones, the hike translates to ₹1 to ₹5 extra per trip. For instance, a 0-2 km journey now costs ₹11.2 instead of ₹10, and 4 km trips are ₹21.4. Audit data for FY 2024-25 showed a 10.20% cost surge, but the cap ensured moderation.
Passenger-friendly discounts remain intact for smart card and NCMC users, including 5% off during peak hours and 10% on Sundays or non-peak on select national highways. Tourist cards and group tickets, however, will see the 5% annual adjustment.
BMRCL emphasizes that these incremental changes promote financial stability and service reliability, shielding riders from abrupt, large hikes by aligning fares gradually with rising costs and inflation. Commuters can plan accordingly as the new rates roll out in days.