In a significant development concerning public transportation in Bengaluru, Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya has formally petitioned the Union Government to intervene in the recent fare hike announced by the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL). The move comes amid growing criticism directed at the Karnataka Congress government over the revised fares, which have sparked concerns among commuters and political figures alike.
MP Surya's Letter to Union Minister
On Thursday, Tejasvi Surya, a BJP MP, wrote a detailed letter to Manohar Lal Khattar, the Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs. In his communication, Surya highlighted what he described as multiple errors in the fare calculation process, urging the establishment of a new Fare Fixation Committee (FFC) to address these issues. The letter was sent even as the state government faced backlash for the fare revisions, adding a political dimension to the ongoing debate.
Details of the Fare Hike
According to Surya, the 2025 Fare Fixation Committee, constituted under the Metro Railway Operations and Maintenance Act of 2002, recommended a fare revision effective from February 9, 2025, for Namma Metro. This revision, based on the 2016 DMRC Fare Fixation Committee's formula, resulted in an average fare increase of 50 percent. Notably, the maximum fare rose from Rs 60 to Rs 90, making Bengaluru metro the most expensive in the country. Surya emphasized that this hike places an undue burden on the general public of Bengaluru, affecting daily commuters significantly.
Alleged Errors in Fare Calculation
Surya pointed out that a perusal of the FFC report revealed several arithmetic errors in the revised fare calculations. He argued that these errors primarily stem from the selection of the wrong base year, 2016-17, for computing operating costs. This deviation from the standard fare revision methodology has led to inaccuracies that, despite being flagged multiple times in meetings, remain uncorrected by BMRCL. As a result, commuters continue to be overcharged for their metro travel, exacerbating financial strain on residents.
Annual Fare Revision and Further Increases
In addition to the initial hike, Surya noted that the FFC had suggested an annual fare revision of up to 5 percent to help BMRCL meet operational and maintenance expenses. However, on February 5, 2026, BMRCL announced another annual fare revision set to take effect from February 9, 2026. This revision includes increases ranging from Rs 1 to Rs 15 across various fare slabs, with the highest fare for travel above 25 km rising to Rs 195. Surya criticized this move, calling for a hold on such hikes until fares are rationalized.
Call for Action
In his letter, Surya made two key requests to the Union Government. First, he urged the constitution of a new Fare Fixation Committee for Bengaluru Metro to rectify the highlighted anomalies and rationalize the fares. Second, he requested that the annual fare hike be put on hold until these corrections are made. He stressed that such measures are essential to ensure fair pricing and alleviate the financial burden on Bengaluru's commuters, who rely heavily on the metro system for daily transportation.
The issue has sparked a broader discussion on public transport affordability and governance in urban India, with stakeholders closely monitoring the Centre's response to Surya's petition.
