Bengaluru Metro Fare Hike Update: Hike On Hold After Public Outcry And Political Row, BMRCL To Review

The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has put on hold its proposed annual automatic fare revision just a day before it was scheduled to come into effect, following widespread public criticism and a sharp political exchange between state and central leaders.

The fare revision was set to be implemented from February 9, but the corporation announced that the existing metro fares will continue until further notice.

The sudden decision comes after commuters raised concerns over rising travel costs and political leaders traded accusations over responsibility for the proposed hike.

In an official statement, BMRCL said the earlier media release announcing the fare revision has been suspended for now and that the board will review the revised pricing structure before taking a final call.

BMRCL Puts Fare Hike On Hold

In its press note, the metro authority confirmed that the proposed fare changes have been kept on hold pending further review.

"Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited hereby informs that the media release dated February 5, 2026, announcing the implementation of the annual fare revision with effect from February 9, 2026, has been kept on hold till further orders.

The decision on the revised fare will be communicated after the board's review," the statement said.

Officials indicated that the board of directors will soon meet to reassess the pricing slabs and consider feedback from commuters and stakeholders before making any decision.

Political Row Intensifies Over Fare Revision

The issue soon turned into a political flashpoint, with Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya claiming he had urged Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar to intervene and stop the fare hike.

Surya criticised the Karnataka government, alleging that the fare increase was being pushed to offset what he described as weak state finances. He also pointed to what he called "arithmetic errors" in the Fare Fixation Committee report and argued that Bengaluru already has one of the most expensive metro systems in the country. According to him, any further hike would burden middle-class commuters and reduce accessibility to public transport.

However, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar rejected the allegations, calling them misleading. The state leadership maintained that it has no direct control over metro fare decisions.

Siddaramaiah stated that under the Metro Railways (Operation and Maintenance) Act, 2002, metro fares are determined by an independent Fare Fixation Committee appointed by the Union government, leaving the state government with no legal authority to alter or block the decision.

With the fare revision now temporarily suspended, commuters await clarity as BMRCL prepares to review the proposal and announce its next steps.