Thank you BMRCL for the fare relief

When the Bengaluru Metro was inaugurated in 2011, it became the first metro system in South India, leading to a huge wave of euphoria in a city where thousands and lakhs of commuters travel to and from their homes and destinations every morning and evening.
Since then, it has seen several quick expansions, converting Namma Metro into a full-fledged transport machine, moving the citizenry smoothly and seamlessly in the shortest possible time from the early morning hours till late night.

What made the Metro even more attractive was the comparatively cheaper fare; a trip from South Bengaluru to the Majestic hub, which would have cost a family around Rs 200 in a cab, would now be as cheap as Rs 50 or 60, provided they could make it to the station of course. Last mile connectivity was always a problem and remains so but most people chose to grin and bear it for in the final analysis, a metro ride was much more comfortable and cheaper.

A few days ago, came the worrisome news that Namma Metro was planning to jack up fares with those who travel daily in these trains, the most worried lost. It would definitely lead to a jump in their monthly expenses and force a cut in other household expenditure. And after all, many wondered why Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) needed a hike at all when it was already carrying lakhs of passengers every day and making quite a lot of revenue?  

On Sunday, a day after Bengaluru South MP Tejaswi Surya said that Union Minister Manoharlal Khattar had agreed to keep the fare revision on hold, came the delightful news that the hike was off for now. One can only hope that the hike has been permanently shelved for in the days and months to come, more and Bengalureans are sure to hop onto a metro train to reach their destinations leaving their private vehicles behind.

Road travel through the contested thoroughfares of the IT City has become a nightmare during the daytime considering the number of vehicles of every kind clogging the roads. There are many who complain that by the time they reach their offices after successfully negotiating city traffic, they are sweating and exhausted. Having one’s own vehicle and riding it is no doubt a joyful experience but many would still prefer a metro ride to the amount of time and the blaring horns all around they have to endure for a road trip.Thanks, Namma Metro for the much-needed relief. Bengaluru will rely on you and more and more as you expand your network in the years ahead.