Karnataka to increase state-run bus fares from November 5
Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh said the extent of the fare hike will be decided on November 4.
Karnataka state-run bus fares will increase from November 5, according to reports by The Hindu and Deccan Herald. Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh announced the decision on Sunday while speaking to reporters in Chikkaballapur.
The Minister stated that the four state-owned Road Transport Corporations (RTCs) incur annual losses of Rs 2,000 crore. He noted that the total losses of the four RTCs amount to Rs 9,000 crore and said the upward fare revision is inevitable.
Suresh said the BJP-led Union government increased diesel prices five times in the past year. He added that Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and the Cabinet have given the Transport Department the power to decide on the revision.
The Transport Department will meet with officials from the four corporations on November 4 to determine the quantum of the hike. Women and students will not be affected by the increase as they are covered under the Shakti scheme.
The Public Transport Fare Regulatory Committee, led by retired IAS officer Atul Kumar Tiwari, previously recommended a 25 per cent hike for KSRTC, NWKRTC and KKRTC, and a 40 per cent hike for BMTC. The corporations have liabilities of approximately Rs 6,600 crore, including provident fund and diesel dues.