A banner put up at a station by L&T Metro Rail Hyderabad mentioning losses as part of the `Save Our Metro’ campaign
| Photo Credit:
Naga Sridhar
Following criticism for hiking metro fares, L&T Metro Rail Hyderabad (L&TMRHL) has launched a ‘Save Your Metro’ campaign in the city to convince commuters of the need for an increase in fares, and announced a 10 per cent discount on revised fares.
Stating a cumulative loss in the excess of ₹6,600 crore, L&T Metro Rail is now asking commuters to “save it and the city” and has installed flex banners at metro stations. It has also resorted to a digital campaign at the metro stations.
“Our metro is struggling to stay on track,’‘ it said as operational costs shot up by 160 per cent over the last 5 years. A “small” fare revision would help continued service and augment more trains for the commuters, it added.
‘Not a small revision’
However, commuters fumed over the hike. “How can it be a small upward revision of fares. The fare hike is in the range of 20 to 25 per cent. And there is no last-mile connectivity in many places. People cannot be burdened with their losses,’‘ NS Krishna, who works for a private company, told businessline while travelling in the metro.
The hike in fares was announced on May 15 and came into effect from May 17. The minimum fare was increased from ₹10 to 12 and the maximum from ₹60 to Rs 75.
In the backdrop of criticism from the public and opposition parties, L&TMRHL on Tuesday announced a 10 per cent discount on the revised fares. “In alignment with our passenger’s feedback and welfare, we have decided to provide a 10 per cent discount on the newly-revised fares, across all fare zones in all the three metro corridors from May 24,” KVB Reddy, MD & CEO, L&TMRHL said.
The resentment among commuters continues to stay. “This is not a reversal and only a discount on increased fares with no mention of any timeline. This can be withdrawn any time and a 20 per cent hike is tough on the common commuters,’‘ said A Alekhya, a government school teacher said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the first leg of the Hyderabad metro rail project from the Miyapur rail station in November, 2017.
Published on May 21, 2025
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