Outlook Business Desk
Namma Metro fares in Bengaluru are expected to rise by up to 5% starting February this year, based on recommendations made by the Fare Fixation Committee, whose report was recently made public for commuters and stakeholders.
The Fare Fixation Committee (FFC) recommendations are binding under Section 33 of the Metro Railways Operations and Maintenance Act, 2002, requiring Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) to implement approved fare changes without discretionary alteration.
In February 2025, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited revised ticket prices for the first time since 2017, with fares increasing by as much as 71% on certain routes across the Namma Metro network.
According to the Fare Fixation Committee report submitted last year, metro fares can be increased by up to 5% every year beginning February 2026, introducing a system of regular, smaller revisions instead of infrequent major hikes.
Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited warned that without automatic annual fare revisions, its operating ratio would worsen, projecting net losses rising to ₹577 crore by 2029–30, as reported by Deccan Herald.
Regular Namma Metro commuters have raised concerns that another fare increase, coming barely a year after the steep hike, could place added pressure on daily travel budgets, particularly for office workers and students dependent on the Metro.
Commuters have said metro travel is meant to stay affordable, highlighting overcrowded trains during peak hours and arguing that higher fares force citizens to either pay more for the Metro or waste hours stuck in traffic.
On the other hand, transport observers have warned that another fare increase could drive commuters back to buses or private vehicles, further adding to congestion on Bengaluru’s already crowded roads and weakening efforts to encourage public transport use.
Mobility expert Satya Arikutharm called the proposed fare hike unjust, saying commuters are already paying nearly 32% extra due to flawed calculations, and urged elected representatives to ensure greater accountability from metro authorities.