Bengaluru, February 5: Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) on Wednesday announced an Annual Automatic Fare Revision, which will come into effect from February 9, 2026, in line with the recommendations of the First Fare Fixation Committee (FFC) constituted under the Metro Railways (Operation & Maintenance) Act, 2002.
According to BMRCL, the decision follows the FFC’s observation that a fare revision after 7.5 years, combined with the reduction of fare zones from 29 to 10, resulted in a steep average increase of 51.55% in 2025. To avoid such sharp and infrequent hikes in the future, the committee recommended a transparent annual fare revision mechanism.
As per the FFC’s binding recommendation, metro fares will now be revised annually using an automatic formula linked to operational and maintenance (O&M) costs or capped at 5% per year, whichever is lower, with fares rounded off to the nearest rupee.
BMRCL stated that based on audited financial data for FY 2024–25, operational costs had increased by 10.20% compared to the previous year. However, the fare revision has been restricted to 5%, in compliance with FFC guidelines.
Fare Increase Details
Under the revised structure, metro fares across 10 fare zones will see a minimum increase of ₹1 and a maximum increase of ₹5, applicable across BMRCL’s 96.10 km network.
- Short-distance fares (0–2 km) will increase from ₹10 to ₹11
- Long-distance fares (over 30 km) will rise from ₹90 to ₹95
Smart Card Discounts to Continue
BMRCL clarified that all existing commuter-friendly discounts will continue, including:
- 5% discount during peak hours
- 10% discount during non-peak hours
- 10% discount on Sundays and three designated national holidays
The 5% annual revision will also apply to Tourist Cards and Group Tickets, including one-day, three-day, and five-day passes for both smart card and mobile QR users.
Aim: Financial Stability Without Sudden Shocks
BMRCL said the new mechanism is designed to ensure financial sustainability and service reliability, while protecting commuters from sudden and heavy fare hikes. The gradual annual revision allows fares to align steadily with inflation and operating costs.
Reiterating its commitment, BMRCL stated that it will continue to provide safe, reliable, punctual, and affordable metro services, while maintaining high standards of safety, maintenance, and service quality as the network expands.
