Bengaluru Metro Fares Hike: BMRCL Announces Fare Increase from February 9

Bengaluru, Karnataka: Metro commuters in Bengaluru are set to pay more as the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) announced a 5% increase in fares, effective February 9, 2026. This comes after last year’s fare revision, which had doubled ticket prices.

New Fare Structure
With the hike, the minimum fare will rise from ₹10 to ₹11, while the maximum fare will increase from ₹90 to ₹95. BMRCL’s spokesperson B.L. Yashwant Chauhan explained that the fare revision follows a formula recommended by the Fare Fixation Committee (FFC), which limits annual fare hikes to 5%. The increase ensures financial stability while keeping sudden, large hikes in check.

Reason Behind the Hike
The FFC noted that after 7.5 years without a fare revision, the previous restructure—which reduced fare zones from 29 to 10—had already led to an average fare increase of 51.55%. To avoid abrupt hikes in the future, the committee recommended an annual automatic fare revision linked to operational and management costs or 5% per year, rounded to the nearest rupee.

Discounts and Smart Card Benefits
BMRCL assured that existing passenger-friendly discounts for smart card and NCMC users will continue. These include 5% off during peak hours and 10% off on Sundays and non-peak hours on three national highways. However, tourist cards and group tickets will see the 5% annual fare increase.

Political Response
The fare hike has sparked criticism from political leaders. Tejasvi Surya, BJP National Youth President and Bengaluru South MP, met with Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, urging a restructure of the fare fixation committee and criticizing the Karnataka Congress government for imposing the hike without considering public concerns.

BMRCL emphasized that this modest annual adjustment is intended to gradually align fares with inflation and operating costs, ensuring reliable service without placing sudden financial strain on commuters.