BMRCL Cites Aero India for Namma Metro Ridership Drop, Commuters Disagree

Bengaluru's Namma Metro is facing strong backlash from commuters after implementing a steep fare hike. Many passengers, who silently opposed the increase, have now opted for alternative modes of transport, leading to a drop in daily ridership.

On February 11, the Namma Metro recorded a sharp decline of nearly 80,000 passengers, with the total footfall dropping to 7,78,774 from 8,58,417 on February 4. Just a day earlier, on February 10, the ridership stood at 8,28,149, highlighting the growing reluctance among daily commuters to pay the revised fares.

BMRCL Cites Aero India for Dip in Namma metro Ridership

Despite the growing dissent, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) officials have attributed the decline in ridership to the ongoing Aero India 2025, stating that major traffic diversions could have impacted Metro usage. However, critics argue that the fare revision has made Bengaluru Metro the most expensive in India, with the maximum ticket price soaring from ₹60 to ₹90.

After the revision, the minimum fare now stands at ₹10, while the maximum fare has jumped by 50%, from ₹60 to ₹90.

While the BMRCL maintains that the fare hike was necessary for operational sustainability, the sharp decline in ridership raises concerns about whether the Metro will continue to be the preferred mode of transport in Bengaluru.