Final report on Bengaluru metro fare hike to be submitted soon

Fare Fixation Committee to recommend Namma Metro fare revision, considering 15-25% hike, with public input and stakeholder consultation.

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The Fare Fixation Committee (FFC), which has been tasked with recommending the appropriate fare revision for Namma Metro, is expected to submit its final report to the government in a few days.

The BMRCL is contemplating a 15-25% fare hike, the first since a 10-15% increase in 2017. At present, the minimum token fare is ₹10, while the maximum is ₹60. Smart card users enjoy a 5% discount, down from the earlier 15%, a reduction implemented in 2020 to address escalating operational expenses, sources Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited said.

A three-member committee was constituted to review the fare structure of the Bengaluru Metro, headed by Justice R. Tharani, a retired judge of the Madras High Court. The committee includes Satyendra Pal Singh, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, and E.V. Ramana Reddy, former Additional Chief Secretary of Karnataka.

According to officials, the committee has conducted an in-depth study of metro fares across various cities in India and internationally to ensure a balanced approach to fare revision. “The findings and recommendations of the committee will be presented in a comprehensive report, expected to be submitted soon,” the official added.

The FFC is a statutory body that determines metro rail service fares across India. It has quasi-judicial powers and aims to ensure that fares adequately reflect rising costs associated with operations, maintenance, and staffing.

The official further said, “The FFC will consider inputs from all stakeholders before making a final decision. Fares need to account for the increasing costs of operations, maintenance, and staffing to sustain metro services effectively.”