The recent 47% Bengaluru Metro fee increase has nearly doubled revenue for BMRCL, but thousands of commuters are migrating to buses and personal vehicles, resulting in a dramatic decrease in ridership.
Metro revenue approaches Rs 4 crore after fee hike.
Ridership drops by up to 30,000 daily commuters.
BMRCL struggles with financial losses despite rise.
The recent 47% rise in Bengaluru Metro rates effective February 9 has brought a much-needed cash boost to BMRCL, but at the expense of dwindling ridership. While the fee raise has greatly increased revenue, many commuters have chosen alternate modes of transportation, resulting in a decrease in daily passenger numbers.
Prior to the fare revision, Bengaluru Metro generated approximately Rs 2 crore per day from operations. Earnings have increased significantly in the three days since the boost. On February 9, income exceeded Rs 3 crore, compared to the customary Rs 2 crore. By February 12, daily profits had virtually doubled, totaling Rs 3.91 crore. Over the last three days, Metro’s daily revenue has climbed by around Rs 1.5 crore.
Despite the increased revenue, BMRCL continues to confront financial issues. The firm has been struggling to repay loans for the metro project’s first and second phases. Bengaluru Metro has been struggling financially, with yearly losses ranging between Rs 400 and 500 crore due to high running costs. The fare increase was implemented as a way to stabilize finances and assure long-term sustainability.
However, rising fares have turned commuters away. Many daily metro users have shifted to BMTC buses or personal vehicles, resulting in a significant drop in ridership. Bengaluru Metro, which generally averages 8.5-9 lakh daily passengers, has experienced a decrease of 20,000 to 30,000 commuters.
On Sunday, February 11, ridership fell to 7.75 lakh, indicating a dramatic reduction. The trend persisted on Monday, February 12, with only 8.04 lakh passengers utilizing the metro, a substantial decrease from average levels. While BMRCL’s revenue has increased, the loss of a sector of regular passengers remains a problem.
