Tejasvi Surya criticizes delay in metro fare report release
The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has finally made public the long-awaited Fare Fixation Committee (FFC) report, seven months after implementing a controversial fare hike in February 2025. The increase, originally set at 130%, faced widespread public outrage and was sharply criticized by Member of Parliament Tejasvi Surya, who successfully pushed for it to be reduced to 71%.
Surya repeatedly demanded transparency, highlighting BMRCL’s lack of accountability in delaying the report. Frustrated by the corporation’s inaction, he approached the Karnataka High Court, prompting BMRCL to upload the report just a day before the court hearing. According to officials, the state government had approved the release on July 16, yet it took nearly two months for it to become publicly accessible.
The report reveals that BMRCL Initially proposed a 105% fare hike, citing rising financial losses. The FFC recommended a more gradual 51.55% increase, to be implemented over 7.5 years, resulting in an annual rise of about 6.87%. New fares range from ₹10 for trips up to 2 km to ₹90 for journeys exceeding 25 km. Surya criticized the delay as a reflection of the slow institutional response and lack of accountability. While the report’s release is a step toward transparency, he emphasized that timely communication and responsible decision-making are crucial for public trust in BMRCL.
