The Telangana government will reconsider the charges for Hyderabad’s common mobility card covering Metro Rail and Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) bus travel after commuters and activists raised concerns that the recently introduced fares were too high.
Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said on October 12 that the government was examining public feedback and the field-level situation following multiple complaints. He said a meeting with senior officials would be held before a decision is taken on the charges.
The common mobility card was launched on October 2 for travel on Hyderabad Metro Rail and TGSRTC buses. Its monthly pass is priced at ₹8,500, comprising ₹7,000 as the Hyderabad Metro Rail share and ₹1,500 as the TGSRTC share.
The daily pass costs ₹400. Of this, ₹300 is allocated to Hyderabad Metro Rail and ₹100 to TGSRTC. The charges prompted criticism soon after the scheme was launched, with commuters and activists describing them as steep and unrealistic for regular public transport users.
The government’s review follows concerns that the pass does not cover other important parts of Hyderabad’s public transport network. Critics pointed out that the common mobility card excludes the Multi-Modal Transport System (MMTS), as well as last-mile options such as shared autos, shuttle services and other feeder modes.
The exclusions are significant for commuters whose daily journeys involve more than one rail or bus service. A passenger may use the Metro or a TGSRTC bus for the main part of a trip but still need an MMTS service, shared auto, shuttle or feeder connection to reach a workplace, educational institution or residential area. Under the current arrangement, those additional journeys are not included in the common pass described in the report.
Prabhakar said the government did not intend to impose excessive charges on people. He said public opinion would be considered while arriving at a decision on the pricing structure.
The review will determine whether the current daily and monthly rates are revised. The government has not announced a new fare structure or a timeline for changes. A decision is expected after senior officials examine the feedback and assess the situation on the ground.
