Finshots Daily Why Bengaluru has the most expensive metro
Sep 18, 2025
Bengaluru's metro is now the most expensive in India, and a recent 70% fare hike has commuters reeling. The reasons behind these skyrocketing costs are explored, revealing a mix of dubious approvals and financial strains. Claims of revenue offsets face scrutiny, especially as ridership grows but construction delays linger. Proposed solutions include diversifying revenue and restructuring to ease debt burdens. It's a deep dive into the complexities of urban transit in a growing city.
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Commute Turned Costly
- The host describes a routine commute that turned expensive when his metro card swipe charged much more than usual.
- The sudden 70% fare hike affected nearly 10 lakh daily riders, making Bengaluru the most expensive metro in India.
Fares Raised Before Committee Report
- BMRCL hiked fares before the fare fixation committee issued its recommendations, creating transparency concerns.
- The committee's report only came seven months later, and just before a high court hearing on the issue.
Headline Costs Misleading
- BMRCL highlighted a 133% jump in costs between 2017 and 2024 but ignored network growth when presenting the figure.
- On a per-kilometre basis costs rose only about 39%, revealing a misleading headline number.