Metro fare hike move sparks debate about services

B’luru’s commuters and stakeholders voice concerns over the anticipated fare increase, urging priority for affordability, accessibility and service improvements

NT Bengaluru: The recent decision by Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) to seek public feedback on fare revisions for Namma Metro has triggered diverse responses from the city's commuters and stakeholders. As BMRCL anticipates a fare increase of 15-25 per cent, concerns about accessibility, affordability, and service improvement have become focal points of the discussion. The last fare revision occurred in 2017, with an increase of 10-15 per cent. The current minimum fare is Rs 10, and the maximum is Rs 60, with smart card users receiving a reduced discount of 5 per cent. Rajkumar Dugar founder of Citizens4Citizens expressed concerns over the proposed fare hike, emphasising its potential impact on traffic congestion. He argued that public transport should be inclusive and affordable to reduce private vehicle usage and ease congestion in the city. Dugar highlighted that BMRCL has other potential sources of revenue, such as advertising, and questioned the necessity of increasing fares. He also suggested investing in the suburban rail project as a long-term solution to Bengaluru’s traffic woes, criticising the metro's inability to provide the same capacity as suburban trains.

Dugar also pointed out that while the government has made BMTC buses free for women, there is a contradictory approach when it comes to metro fares. He argued that making public transportation free or highly subsidised could be a strategic move to alleviate traffic and promote sustainable mobility. According to Dugar, the lack of focus on suburban rail by MPs and officials is a missed opportunity for Bengaluru’s public transport system. He noted that the suburban rail's ticket pricing would be similar to the metro, yet it offers greater capacity and efficiency with nine-coach trains. Dugar also raised concerns about the airport metro corridor’s route, stating that its lengthy travel time would not serve commuters effectively. Shyamala James, a daily commuter, echoed these sentiments, emphasising the need for BMRCL to balance revenue generation with affordability and inclusivity. She suggested measures such as offering discounts for frequent travellers, improving crowd management, and enhancing last-mile connectivity to attract and retain more passengers.

James acknowledged the potential of advertising as an additional revenue stream but insisted that BMRCL should manage it tastefully and ensure it aligns with the public interest. Usha Iyer, Founder & Principal of The Green School Bangalore, welcomed BMRCL’s initiative to gather public feedback, calling it a positive step toward addressing commuter concerns. She stressed the importance of transparent communication from BMRCL regarding the rationale behind fare increases and noted several areas for improvement, including overcrowding, safety measures, cleanliness, and accessibility for disabled commuters. She suggested that if BMRCL plans to introduce advertisements on trains, they should ensure that these do not compromise passenger safety or the aesthetic experience of the metro journey.

Himansi G. N., a student from St. Joseph's College of Law, highlighted the challenges that fare increases might pose for commuters. She argued that although modest fare adjustments may not deter metro usage, issues like last-mile connectivity and lengthy construction delays still hinder the overall effectiveness of Bengaluru’s metro system. She emphasised that unless there are sufficient feeder services connecting residential areas to metro stations, the metro system will not reach its full potential in terms of ridership.