Delhi Metro Fare Hike Claims After BJP’s Win Are Fake

This story was originally published by PTI News, and republished by The Probe as part of the Shakti Collective.

A post claiming a rise in Delhi Metro fares was recently shared on social media. Users alleged that metro ticket prices had increased by up to 50% and that this hike was implemented immediately after the BJP was elected to power in Delhi in the recently concluded Assembly polls.

However, the PTI Fact Check Desk found this claim to be false. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) did not announce any such fare hike. Notably, it was the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited that announced an increase in ticket prices, raising the maximum fare by 50 per cent. 

Claim

An X (formerly Twitter) user shared a post on February 11, claiming that the Metro authorities had announced a fare hike by 50 per cent. The user alleged that this came immediately after the BJP won in the recently concluded Delhi Assembly polls.

"As soon as the Modi government entered Delhi, it gave a gift to the people of the country by increasing metro fares by 50% from Sunday. The Modi government has given good news to the people of Delhi," the user wrote in the post.

Here is the link and archive link to the post, followed by a screenshot:

Investigation

The Desk conducted a customised keyword search on Google and found that several users had shared similar claims. Two such posts can be seen here and here, along with their archive links (Link 1, Link 2) found here respectively. 

One such post claimed that Delhi's Metro fares had increased from ₹60 to ₹90.

Here is the link and archive link to the post, followed by a screenshot:

In the next part of investigation, the Desk scanned the official website and social media handles of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. However, no details regarding a fare hike were found.

The search results, however, led the Desk to multiple media reports stating that the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) had recently increased metro fares.

According to a Hindustan Times report, BMRCL announced a fare increase of about 50% on February 8. The maximum fare has risen from ₹60 to ₹90.

Here is the link to the report, followed by a screenshot:

Additionally, few media reports also indicated that fares for the Rapid Metro operating on Golf Course Road in Cyber City, Gurugram, will also increase. Currently, the minimum fare for the Gurugram Rapid Metro is ₹20, and the maximum fare is ₹35. After the hike, they will become ₹25 and ₹40, respectively.

Here is the link to the report shared by News 24, followed by a screenshot:

In the next part of investigation, the Desk reached out to an official from the DMRC, who denied any such proposal linked to an increase in Delhi Metro fares.

"This is in reference to some social media posts claiming that Delhi Metro fares have been revised. Delhi Metro's fares can only be revised by an independent Fare Fixation Committee, which is nominated by the Government. Presently, there is no such proposal for the constitution of any Fare Fixation Committee," said Anuj Dayal, Principal Executive Director.

Subsequently, the Desk concluded that the viral claim about a fare hike in the Delhi Metro was fake and baseless.

Claim

Delhi Metro fares increased by 50% after BJP’s victory in Delhi Assembly polls.

Fact

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has announced any such fare hike.

Conclusion

Multiple social media users recently shared a post claiming that Delhi Metro fares had been increased by 50% following the BJP's victory in the Delhi Assembly Elections. However, the Desk found the claim to be fake and baseless. The DMRC has not announced any such fare hike.

This Fact Check story was originally published by PTI News, as part of the Shakti Collective. Except for the headline/excerpt/opening introduction para this story has not been edited by The Probe staff.