Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah strongly criticized the central government over the recent railway fare hike, arguing that it would disproportionately impact students, daily wage earners, small business owners, and the general public. He accused the BJP of hypocrisy—protesting against the state's policies while remaining silent on the Centre’s decisions.

“Railway fares have gone up! And who suffers the most? The working class, students, small traders, and the common man already battling rising living costs,” Siddaramaiah stated in a post on X. Calling for an immediate rollback of the hike, he said he stood with the people of Karnataka and the nation who now have to spend more on essential travel. “This increase must be withdrawn. Don't turn daily travel into another political gimmick. Let trains run, not people’s patience,” he added.

Taking aim at the BJP's Karnataka unit, he said the party had previously protested milk price increases—meant to support farmers—but is now silent on a move that burdens ordinary citizens. “When we raised milk prices to support farmers, the BJP in Karnataka called it ‘anti-people’. But now, when their own government at the Centre hikes railway fares, they say nothing. Why? Because this hike benefits the BJP’s treasury, not the poor or the farmers,” he said.

Siddaramaiah also brought up the recent hike in Bengaluru Metro fares, pointing out that BJP leaders had blamed the Congress-led state government despite the hike being recommended by a central fare fixation committee. “Back then, the Centre twisted the narrative to blame us. Now, with this rail fare hike, who will they hold accountable?” he questioned.

The Ministry of Railways has stated that the new fare structure, effective July 1, 2025, is a rationalisation of pricing. Under the new system, non-suburban ordinary second-class fares will rise by half a paisa per kilometre for journeys over 500 km—resulting in Rs 5, Rs 10, and Rs 15 increases for distances between 501–1500 km, 1501–2500 km, and 2501–3000 km, respectively. Sleeper and first-class fares will also see similar incremental increases. Second-class fares on mail and express trains will go up by one paisa per kilometre, with proportional hikes in other classes. Suburban train fares and season tickets remain unchanged.