BENGALURU: Namma Metro users will have to pay more for their ride from Sunday. While the minimum fare remains unchanged at Rs 10, the maximum fare has increased by 50%, from Rs 60 to Rs 90.
BMRCL, which operates Namma Metro, has revised the fares after nearly eight years based on the recommendations of the Fare Fixation Committee (FFC).
For distances ranging from 0-2 km, passengers will continue to pay a minimum fare of Rs 10. For 2-4 km, the fare has been increased to Rs 20, and for 4-6 km, it will be Rs 30. For 6-8 km, passengers will have to pay Rs 40. Those travelling 8-10 km will have to pay Rs 50. The fare for 10-15 km will be Rs 60, and for 15-20 km, Rs 70. For 20-25 km, the fare will be Rs 80, and for 25-30 km, Rs 90. Even for over 30 km, the fare will be Rs 90.
A discount of 5% for smart card users will continue. Off-peak hours will see an additional 5% discount, taking the total discount to 10% for those travelling between noon and 4 pm, and after 9 pm on weekdays. Further, smart card users will enjoy a 10% discount on Sundays and national holidays -- January 26, August 15, and October 2 — throughout the day. However, smart card users should maintain a minimum balance of Rs 90 (previously Rs 50). The discount is not applicable to those using QR codes.
Tourist and group ticket fares have also been revised. The one-day tourist card will now cost Rs 300, while the three-day card will cost Rs 600. The five-day tourist card will cost Rs 800. For group bookings, passengers will get discounts based on the group size. Groups of 25-99 will get a 15% discount and of 100-1,000 will receive 20%. Groups of more than 1,000 will enjoy a discount of 25%.
Commuters slam Metro fare increase
Sanjeev Dyamannavar, mobility expert, said, “People travelling in groups (more than two) may now use their cars or take cabs as their total fare in Metro will either cost the same or even less.” He criticised the government for providing free bus facility for women and at the same time increasing Metro fares.
Expressing their anger, several commuters termed Namma Metro the most expensive metro service in India.
Megha, an IT professional, who commutes daily from Yeshwanthpur to Baiyappanahalli, said, “The fare revision committee, instead of encouraging public transport, seems to have worked hard to make Namma Metro less relevant in the future. While a fare hike was anticipated, this increase is too high and simply unaffordable for the common man,” she said.
“What can the common man do? We will stop using Metro. Let the state government bear the burden of more debt repayment,” said Ashish from a corporate firm. The only way now is to use BMTC buses, he added.
Bengaluru Central MP PC Mohan criticised BMRCL for the fare hike. He termed it an unfair burden on commuters. This will push more people towards private vehicles, increasing congestion. “Public transport must be affordable,” he said.