Hyderabad Metro Rail has announced a hike in fares effective from tomorrow.
The minimum fare has been raised from ₹10 to ₹12, while the maximum has been revised from ₹60 to ₹75, marking the steepest increase since operations began. The metro, a preferred mode of travel for office-goers and daily commuters across the city, has seen a surge in footfall over recent years, primarily due to worsening traffic and the metro’s efficiency. However, despite its growing popularity, metro authorities say the service has been running at a financial loss since inception. Officials stated the fare revision was essential to manage rising operational costs and fund ongoing infrastructure improvements. “This step was necessary to maintain quality and ensure long-term viability,” an official said. Earlier this year, Hyderabad Metro had extended service hours to better serve passengers travelling late evenings or working non-standard shifts—a move that was widely appreciated. But the fare revision has triggered concern.
Social media platforms saw a flurry of criticism from passengers calling the fare hike “untimely” and “burdensome” amid increasing inflation and cost of living. Those who rely on the metro for long commutes expressed particular concern, fearing daily expenses will now rise substantially. Transport economists note that while fare corrections are common in loss-making transit systems, abrupt hikes without phased implementation often risk dampening ridership. Still, authorities maintain that public transport remains the more sustainable option.
The impact of this fare hike on commuter trends will unfold in the coming weeks. For now, the message from officials is clear—use of public transit remains critical to easing Hyderabad’s congestion and building a greener city.
