Bengaluru Metro: 71% Fare Hike in 2025 + 5% Annual Increases Till 2030, 5 Points

Bengaluru

🚇 Debt-Driven Fare Surge: Bengaluru Metro Targets ₹911–₹1457 Cr Repayments via 71% + 5% Hikes

1. Historic Fare Hike in 2025

• February 2025: Metro fares raised by up to 71.43%.

• New fare slab: ₹10 (min) to ₹90 (max).

• Bengaluru Metro became the costliest urban transit system in India.

2. Automatic 5% Annual Hikes from 2026

• Starting February 2026, fares will rise up to 5% every year.

• Approved by the Fare Fixation Committee (FFC).

• Hikes will follow a formula linked to operational & maintenance costs.

• Rounded to the nearest rupee:

  • ₹10 ticket → ₹11 after hike.

  • ₹25 ticket → ₹26 after hike.

3. BMRCL’s Original Proposal vs Approved Hike

• BMRCL’s demand: 105.15% hike (14.02% annually since 2017).

  • Would have raised fares to ₹21 (min) & ₹123 (max).

• FFC’s recommendation: 51.5% hike (6.87% annually).

  • Implemented in Feb 2025: ₹10 (min) & ₹90 (max).

4. Debt Burden & Financial Stress

• Without hikes, projected losses of ₹577 crore by 2029–30.

• Heavy loan repayments:

  • ₹911 crore in FY 2025–26.

  • Rising to ₹1,457 crore in FY 2029–30.

• FFC’s formula ensures cash flow for asset renewal & replacements.

5. Timeline of Fare Changes

• Feb 2025: One-time steep hike (up to 71.43%).

• Feb 2026 onwards: Annual hikes capped at 5%.

• First time BMRCL adopts an automatic revision model.

Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available reports and financial data. The Profit India does not guarantee absolute accuracy. Readers should verify figures independently before making financial, policy, or investment decisions.