Bengaluru: After steeply hiking Namma Metro fares by up to 71 per cent in Feb — making it the most expensive Metro in the country — Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) may now make fare hikes a yearly affair. In Feb, accepting a report submitted by the fare fixation committee (FFC), BMRCL raised fares with a base price of Rs 10 and a maximum fare of Rs 90. The committee also recommended implementing an annual automatic fare revision formula to maintain financial stability. The committee suggested until the next FFC is formed, BMRCL should increase Metro fares annually by 5 per cent. If BMRCL agrees to this recommendation, the next fare revision would occur in Feb 2026.After denying public access to the report for seven months, rejecting RTI applications, and the issue reaching high court, BMRCL finally released the report Thursday. The report revealed BMRCL sought a fare hike of 105 per cent (14.02% per year over a period of 7.5 years), proposing a base fare of Rs 21 and a maximum fare of Rs 123.BMRCL appraised FFC that it incurred losses for consecutive years, and the projected principal and interest payments would have severe financial implications if fares are not increased. In 2019-20, BMRCL recorded a loss of Rs 641 crore, which rose to Rs 905 crore in 2020-21 (impacted by the pandemic). In 2023-24, the loss stood at Rs 627 crore. BMRCL requires Rs 775 crore to cover projected principal and interest payments in 2025-26, a figure expected to soar to Rs 2,776 crore by 2029-30.The last revision of Namma Metro fares was carried out in 2017. Noting that no fare increase was made in 7.5 years, along with rising operational costs such as energy, staff salaries, maintenance, and projected liabilities, the FFC recommended an upward revision of 51.5 percent (an average annual increase of 6.87 percent). The report also notes since the FFC was constituted 7.5 years after the initial fare fixation by BMRCL, it is recommended that the committee be constituted regularly once every three years.BoxFare report released after MP’s court petitionBangalore South MP Tejasvi Surya, who had petitioned the high court seeking a directive for BMRCL to make FFC report public, said, “Despite repeated demands for the release of the FFC report, BMRCL failed to do so, compelling me to approach the hon’ble high court. Conveniently, a day before the court was set to hear my writ petition, and seven months after the steep fare hike, BMRCL published the FFC report on their website. In its objections before the high court, BMRCL had categorically stated that it received approval from the state govt on July 16 to release the report. Yet, it took them almost two months to upload it. One can only imagine the speed at which this institution is functioning in all spheres.” Box 51% public participants opposed fare hikeIn Oct 2024, the FFC invited general public to submit suggestions and objections regarding the proposed fare revision. According to the report, 843 responses were received via email and 283 through WhatsApp.“These feedback/suggestions were analysed, and it was found out of the total 1,126 responses, 27% of commuters were in favour of a reasonable hike, while 51% opposed any increase in fares.” Some suggestions supported the introduction of monthly passes, student passes, and free travel on Sundays and holidays. Other suggestions focused on increasing the frequency of train operations, improving seating facilities at stations, ensuring timely completion of projects, and various other operational aspects.Suggestions by publicWhat public wantsWhat FFC says20% discount for non-peak hour travel5% discount for non-peak hour travel is consideredRemove minimum balance requirement in smart cardsThis cannot be agreed to as the commuters may enter the system without having adequate balance to meet the fare at the time of exitReduce fare for disabled persons & senior citizensExisting technology of BMRCL needs upgradation to identify such beneficiaries, which involves time and huge investment. Hence, not feasibleIssue monthly passNot recommendedPrice should be on par with ordinary bus fareConsidering the fact that quality of services offered by BMRCL is different, this cannot be consideredIntroduction of family concessional fares or group tickets based on AadhaarIt is already in existence subject to minimum of 25 persons in groupSundays and national holidays ensure free family travelAdditional discount is proposed on Sundays and national holidays
