Bangalore South MP Tejasvi Surya Slams Proposed Metro Fare Increase
Bangalore South MP Tejasvi Surya delivered a sharp critique on Friday against the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL). He targeted their proposal for a 5% Metro fare hike. Surya urgently called upon Union Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar to take immediate action. He demanded the reconstitution of the Fare Fixation Committee (FFC).
Unacceptable Hike and Public Outcry
The proposed increase of Bengaluru Metro fares from February is completely unacceptable, Surya declared. He insisted the hike must be put on hold immediately. Surya emphasized that Metro fares should not rise further until authorities address the anomalies in fare fixation. He stressed the need for rationalizing ticket prices first.
Commuters across the city share this frustration. They argue the proposed hike arrives at a terrible time. People are already grappling with persistent inflation and significant economic strain. This move feels like a direct blow to their daily budgets.
G Shashi Kumar from the civic group Save Bangalore Committee (SBC) voiced a strong opinion. It will be a betrayal of the public trust, he stated. Kumar explained that such a hike would essentially penalize daily commuters. He blamed the administration for failing to mobilize funds from other sources to cover operating costs.
History of Hikes and Future Concerns
This is not the first major increase. BMRCL implemented a massive 71% fare hike on February 9 last year. That decision followed recommendations from the FFC. The result was stark. Namma Metro instantly became the most expensive urban railway system in the entire country. Maximum fares for a single journey reached a staggering Rs 90.
Furthermore, the committee established a troubling precedent. They recommended revising fares by 5% every year. This would happen through an automatic fare revision formula, locking in annual increases.
Rajesh Bhat, representing the Bengaluru Metro Commuters' Association (BMCA), challenged this logic. There is no legal mandate that BMRCL should implement all recommendations of the committee, he pointed out. Commuters are now demanding a written statement from BMRCL. They want assurance that such an automatic move will not be implemented. Bhat warned of public action, stating, We'll take to the streets if there's a hike again.
Safety, Accessibility, and Urban Mobility at Stake
For many, the Metro represents more than just transport. It is a vital lifeline. Commuters believe another fare hike would rob them of one of the city's safest commuting options.
Shoba S, a regular commuter, explained its importance. A lot of women like me in the city are able to travel comfortably to work or wherever we want because of Metro, she said. She contrasted this with the city's road network. Most roads are poorly managed, making travel much slower. The Metro offers a fast and safe alternative that many rely on.
Trade activist Sajjan Raj Mehta highlighted a broader consequence. A fare hike will inevitably push commuters back onto the city's already congested roads. This would worsen traffic snarls and increase pollution levels. Such an outcome would defeat the very purpose for which the Metro system was built: to provide efficient, sustainable urban mobility.
Political Context and Uncertain Future
The debate over fares intensifies within a specific political climate. Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) polls are expected in just a few months. This issue is likely to become a major point of contention for voters and candidates alike.
Amidst this growing public and political pressure, BMRCL has not yet made a final decision. They have not confirmed whether they will proceed with the potential fare revision. The corporation remains silent on its next steps, leaving commuters and representatives in a state of anxious anticipation.
