Commuters using metro services in Bengaluru.
| Photo Credit: SUDHAKARA JAIN

There were mixed reactions from Namma Metro commuters when the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) implemented its revised fare structure on Friday, capping the maximum stage-wise increase at 71%.

The revision came the same day that Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah issued a directive to roll back the ‘abnormal’ hike introduced on February 9.

After the recalibration, many Namma Metro commuters noticed a reduction of at least ₹9 to ₹10 in fares. However, the base fare of ₹10 and the highest fare of ₹90 remained unchanged.

The sudden fare increase earlier this month had caused confusion and financial strain among daily commuters, leading to widespread criticism. In response, BMRCL reduced the hike by 29%. Managing Director M. Maheshwar Rao admitted that technical errors had affected fare calculations and assured that the rectified structure would be implemented by Friday.

Prakash Naik, a commuter, expressed relief that short-distance fares had returned to previous levels. “Just yesterday, my fare from Kadugodi Tree Park to Satya Sai Hospital was ₹20. Today, it’s back to ₹10,” he said.

However, Bharath Kumar, another commuter, questioned the reduction claims. “Earlier, the fare from R.V. Road to Trinity was ₹33.25. It was then increased to ₹57 and now has been further raised to ₹60. I don’t understand where the reduction is,” he said.