After 70% Fare Hike, BMRCL Now Charges for Toilet Use: Public Outrage Intensifies

News Flash

23 May

Metro Commuters Slam BMRCL's New Policy to Monetize Toilet Facilities, Calling It a Step Too Far

Bengaluru: In a move that has shocked and angered thousands of daily commuters, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has now imposed user charges for toilet facilities at multiple metro stations, just weeks after sparking a backlash over a massive 70% increase in metro fares.

What has added fuel to the fire is that toilets, which had been free since the inception of Namma Metro in 2011, will now cost passengers Rs. 2 for urination and Rs. 5 for defecation. This controversial step has been called "insensitive" and "exploitative" by commuters and raises larger questions about accessibility and basic civic amenities in urban public transport.

“Metro tickets are already burning a hole in our pockets, now even nature calls come at a cost,” said Shruthi S., a regular commuter who uses the Green Line daily.

BMRCL has reportedly entered into a contract with a private company to maintain toilet hygiene and cleanliness. In exchange, the company has been authorized to charge passengers, a decision that has stirred massive discontent among citizens, activists, and civic bodies.

The paid toilet facility will be implemented at the following metro stations:

• National College

• Lalbagh

• South End Circle

• Jayanagar

• Rashtriya Vidyalaya Road

• Banashankari

• Jayaprakash Nagar

• Yelachenahalli

• Sir M. Visvesvaraya Station – Central College

• Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Station – Vidhana Soudha

• Cubbon Park

• Majestic

A daily commuter, Vikram Naik, lamented,
“First, they raised fares without warning. Now, they want us to pay to relieve ourselves. What next—entry fees for sitting on the platform?”

Civic activists argue that charging for essential sanitation in public transport is a violation of human dignity, especially for the elderly, women, and children.

The policy, they say, could potentially lead to:

• Increase in public urination

• Inaccessibility for low-income passengers

• Rise in health and sanitation concerns

“If cleanliness is the issue, improve services. Don’t pass the cost onto passengers,” demanded Urban Governance Forum president Rajeev Gowda.
“This is an elitist approach to public transport.”

Social media platforms have also erupted with criticism, with hashtags like #ToiletTax, #BMRCLOutrage, and #FareAndFlush trending locally on X (formerly Twitter).

Despite the growing backlash, BMRCL has not issued a rollback statement, maintaining that the user fee is essential for maintenance and cleanliness of the facilities under the new PPP (Public Private Partnership) model.

As the debate intensifies, Bengaluru’s metro users wait to see whether their voices will lead to a reversal or if more basic services will become a privilege rather than a right.