Metro Rail Fares Likely To Go Up In Hyderabad

If you are unhappy with needing to squeeze into crammed coaches, it's about to be getting worse.

In some distressing news for Metro Rail passengers in Hyderabad, the fares are likely to increase within a week.

The L&T Hyderabad Metro Rail is reportedly working towards implementing a hike very soon. A key decision is expected at a meeting scheduled for May 8, and the revised fares may come into effect as early as May 10.

Reports suggest that the Metro Rail management is planning to raise ticket prices without the explicit permission of the State government. Officials claim that the Metro has been operating at a loss, and fare hikes are necessary to address the financial shortfall. The burden reportedly stems from a significant drop in ridership during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in losses now pegged at Rs 6,598 crore.

Although the management has been seeking the State government's approval for a hike, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has reportedly said that fare revisions would not be approved at this time. In response, the Metro Rail authorities are said to be considering exercising their discretionary powers under the Metro Railway (Operation and Maintenance) Act, 2002, to revise fares independently. According to the Act, the Metro Rail Administration (MRA) has the authority to determine initial fares.

It is reported that a 20% to 25% hike is under consideration. Currently, the minimum Metro fare is Rs 10 and the maximum is Rs 60. If the proposed hike is implemented, the maximum fare could rise to Rs 75. The L&T Hyderabad Metro Rail Corporation hopes to generate an additional Rs 150 crore annually through the fare revision.