E Sreedharan served as the managing director of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) from 1995 to 2012. Bengaluru Metro fares should not exceed one and a half times the non-AC bus fare, he said. He said any increase beyond this will discourage passengers from using the Metro, pushing them to other modes like scooters, cars, and buses. The Metro will also suffer losses due to a decrease in the number of passengers, he added. BMRCL officials said that the hike was based on the Fare Fixation Committee’s recommendation. The maximum fare (for distances above 25 km) has risen from Rs 60 to Rs 90, while the minimum balance required on smart cards has increased from Rs 50 to Rs90. The minimum fare for 2 km is Rs 10, and the fare for distances below 25 km has increased to Rs 60. The fare for 50 km is now Rs 32, and for distances above 50 km it is Rs 40, according to the Metro.
