Namma Metro users decry high parking charges

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: A Twitter user took to social media and called out the high parking fees being charged at city metro stations, discouraging people from using the metro rail services.  

“Less than 24 hrs and the parking at Namma Metro Peenya is Rs 120. Seriously man? Loot! Not even the railway stations parking charge so much!,” tweeted Muralidharan D, along with a picture of the receipt. Many city residents shared the same experience in the comment section and called for government regulation of the parking fees.

“Parking charges are virtual loot everywhere in Bengaluru. I once paid Rs 400 for two-wheeler parking for four days at YPR station. The same would cost Rs 20 in Salem or Hosur or anywhere in TN. Parking charges are a mountain that I now resort to cabs/autos for reaching transit hubs which cost less,” said Kalai.  “Metro board says Rs 60 for 24 hrs but these contractors charge an extra Rs 60 for night parking! The same issue is at Silk institute parking,” said Shenoy Hosmar, another user.

“Just happened to me a week ago. Had to pay Rs 600 for 5-day parking. The complaint raised the matter with BMRCL customer care. They replied that the metro parking facility was available only during metro operational hours. It would cost Rs 60. But beyond operational hours, contractors make extra money,” said Asif. The common thread in the public reactions was that the high parking charges were defeating the purpose of encouraging the use of public transportation.

Corroborating this fact, a user says he travels to his workplace on his bike despite the metro being a convenient mode of transport. He would need to pay the high parking charges as well as the ticket fare if he uses the metro train. Others also pointed out that the issue of last-mile connectivity is not being addressed by the government, leading them to rely on their own vehicles to travel to and from the metro to their final destinations.