Bengaluru Metro implements a 5% annual fare hike as per binding committee recommendations, while Delhi Metro holds back despite similar advice, highlighting differing approaches to financial sustainability.

Bengaluru Metro Rolls Out Latest Fare Adjustment

Bengaluru's Namma Metro commuters are bracing for another increase in travel costs, with fares rising by a modest 5 percent starting February 9.

This comes just a year after a much steeper adjustment that saw some tickets jump by as much as 71 percent, leaving many riders frustrated. The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited, or BMRCL, oversees the 96-kilometer network that serves millions daily. The new revision bumps the minimum fare from 10 rupees to 11 rupees, while the maximum for trips over 30 kilometers climbs from 90 rupees to 95 rupees. Across 10 fare slabs, the hike ranges from 1 rupee to 5 rupees per ticket.

BMRCL points to soaring operational expenses, like electricity and maintenance, which jumped 10.2 percent based on recent audited figures. Even though costs rose higher, the company capped the increase at 5 percent to ease the burden on regular users. Discounts remain in place, offering 5 percent off during peak hours and 10 percent during off-peak for smart card holders, plus extra savings on weekends and holidays.

Binding Recommendations Drive Bengaluru's Policy

At the heart of this decision lies the Fare Fixation Committee, set up under the Metro Railways Act. Its guidelines are mandatory for BMRCL, mandating annual automatic revisions tied to a formula that tracks rising costs, but never exceeding 5 percent yearly.

This mechanism kicked in exactly one year after the committee's major fare overhaul last February. Officials argue it promotes financial health without shocking passengers through big, infrequent jumps. Bengaluru's metro, already among India's priciest, needs steady revenue to cover expanding lines and reliable service amid the city's explosive growth. Commuters, however, are voicing dismay. Daily riders from IT hubs to industrial areas say the back-to-back hikes make public transport feel like a luxury rather than a lifeline.

Metro travel is being made to look like a luxury, but it is not. It is a daily necessity for the working class ranging from IT employees to daily wage workers, says Selvakumar K, a regular user.

Delhi Metro Takes a Different Path on Fare Revisions

In contrast, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has chosen not to follow through on similar panel suggestions for regular adjustments. Despite advice from its own fare committee echoing Bengaluru's—linking hikes to inflation and costs—Delhi has resisted annual increases.

This stance stems from a mix of political pressures, subsidies from the central and state governments, and a massive network spanning over 400 kilometers that benefits from economies of scale. Delhi's fares have stayed relatively stable, avoiding the commuter backlash seen in Bengaluru. Experts note that while Delhi relies more on government support, Bengaluru's operations lean heavier on fare income due to Karnataka's strained finances. The divergence raises questions about long-term viability.

Will Delhi eventually face pent-up cost pressures leading to sharper hikes? Bengaluru's model aims to preempt that with gradual changes, but at the cost of ongoing public grumbling. Both cities grapple with urban boom demands, yet their strategies reflect unique fiscal realities and governance choices.

This fare policy split underscores broader challenges in India's urban transit: balancing affordability for millions against the need for self-sustaining systems. Bengaluru enforces disciplined, formula-driven increments for stability, while Delhi prioritizes stasis amid subsidies. Commuters watch closely as costs creep up in one hub and hold steady in another.

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