The 71% hike in Bengaluru Metro ticket prices at the beginning of 2025 has put a significant financial burden on students, leading to growing demands for a subsidized metro pass, similar to what's available for bus travel. Students who rely on the metro for their daily commute to educational institutions are struggling with the increased costs. With daily expenses ranging from ₹50 to ₹80, their monthly travel budget now stands at approximately ₹1,500. This substantial increase has prompted calls for a dedicated metro pass to ease their financial strain.

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While BMTC buses offer student passes, the metro currently does not. Many students had opted for the metro over crowded and often delayed buses, only to find it increasingly unaffordable. The situation is particularly dire for students attending colleges located on the outskirts of the city, where the metro serves as a vital mode of transport. The exorbitant ticket prices are making travel prohibitive, forcing many students to cut down on other essential expenses. Some are limiting their metro usage to just a couple of days a month, while others are even reducing their attendance at classes due to the high travel costs.

The "Collective Bengaluru" organization has launched a campaign to address this issue. They are actively collecting signatures, having already gathered over 1,000, to draw the government's attention to the urgent need for subsidized metro passes for students. More than 30 colleges have already participated in this initiative.

Students highlight the disparity with other cities like Hyderabad, where metro passes are available for students. One student shared her plight, stating, "We come from poor families. The daily metro ticket expense is crushing. The cost of a few days' tickets alone covers my entire month's library fees." Public transport experts and student organizations are collectively urging the government to implement a student metro pass system. They emphasize that "the burden of this fare hike should not fall on students. The government must take immediate action."