Bengaluru Metro May See Fare Hike Every Three Years Under New BMRCL Proposal

Metro travel in Bengaluru could become more expensive in the coming years as the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited has proposed a new fare revision model to the Central Government. The proposal recommends increasing Namma Metro fares by around 12 percent every three years as part of a long term pricing strategy.

The proposal has been included in the revised Detailed Project Report submitted to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs for the Namma Metro Phase 3A Sarjapur to Hebbal corridor. According to BMRCL, the periodic fare revision is intended to help maintain the project’s financial viability once the new metro line becomes operational.

Officials have outlined different fare revision models in the report, with the preferred option suggesting a 12 percent increase every three years. The corporation believes this approach would help sustain operational revenue while supporting the growing costs associated with expanding and maintaining the metro network.

Based on BMRCL’s projections, the Sarjapur to Hebbal corridor is expected to handle nearly 6.44 lakh passengers every day by 2033. The report estimates that the corridor could generate annual revenue of around Rs 2164 crore if passenger growth meets expectations.

If the proposed fare revision formula is implemented, the maximum metro fare on the new corridor could reach Rs 126 by 2033. The projected increase is based on regular fare revisions over the coming years under the suggested pricing model.

The proposal, however, is still at an early stage and has not been approved. Before any changes can be introduced, the Central Government must first review and accept the recommendation. Even after that, the proposal will require examination by the Fare Fixation Committee, which has the authority to make the final decision on metro ticket pricing.

At present, no fare hike has been confirmed, and commuters will continue paying the existing ticket rates until all necessary approvals are completed. The latest proposal has nevertheless sparked discussion among regular metro users, many of whom rely on Namma Metro as an affordable and convenient mode of daily transport.

BMRCL has maintained that periodic fare revisions are important for ensuring the financial health of the metro system as Bengaluru’s rail network continues to expand. With new corridors under development and passenger numbers expected to rise significantly over the next decade, the corporation believes a structured pricing mechanism could help support future operations while funding ongoing infrastructure growth.