A recent decision by Namma Metro authorities revealed a hike in travel fee. The maximum fare on Bengaluru metro was increased from Rs. 60 to Rs. 90. The price hike upset commuters and made them share their reactions to the announcement. They expressed an outrage on social media and blamed freebies. They claimed freebies offered by the government are emptying the state economy and necessitating a price hike in transport services.

"Freebies don't come free", one wrote while throwing light on the recent situation, where busses are free for women, but the travel expenditure on metro has increased.

Netizens echoed their voices against the decision and termed it a "Side effects of freebies".

Read reactions below

Several people blamed the Congress-gun government for first offering freebies and later hiking the rates of other transport modes.

"We want better facilities and not freebies. Target Congress for freebies promise and then increase in fare. Increase in fares to meet cost and maintain infrastructure per se is not wrong", people wrote.

More traffic on Bengaluru roads?

Commuters highlighted the increased fare might discourage metro travel and result in more road-based journeys, leading to infamous Bengaluru traffic.

"This will discourage ppl travelling in metro influence to travel bus for women as its free bus and men sadly few will go in metro & bus rest will go emi based scooty which will cause more traffic", a netizen commented.

"Time to fight against these price hikes. It’s more expensive now. Travelling in bikes is more cheaper than this. Are they forcing public to use private vehicles rather than attracting public to use public transport? What a thrash govt we have. TERRIBLE", wrote another.