Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh announced the fare revision to address losses and rising diesel prices, effective from midnight.
The Karnataka government has increased bus fares across the four state-run transport corporations, including BMTC, KSRTC, NWKRTC, and KKRTC, according to reports by The Hindu and Deccan Chronicle. Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh announced the revision, which covers ordinary, express, long-distance, and airport bus services.
The revised rates are set to come into effect from midnight on Thursday, November 5. The hike includes an average increase of around 23 per cent for KSRTC and between 33 per cent and 35 per cent for BMTC.
In Bengaluru, the minimum fare on BMTC buses will rise from Rs 6 to Rs 10. The maximum fare for BMTC will increase from Rs 35 to Rs 45, while the maximum fare on AC Vajra buses will go up from Rs 75 to Rs 90. Vayu Vajra services to Kempegowda International Airport will cost up to Rs 425, up from Rs 405.
Minister Suresh attributed the hike to rising diesel prices, increased expenditure on bus maintenance and spare parts, and the need for employee wage revisions. He noted that the four transport corporations collectively incur annual losses of around Rs 2,000 crore.
The Minister stated that the KSRTC fare hike was capped at Rs 9. He also clarified that the 'Shakti' scheme, which provides free travel for women in non-luxury buses, was not responsible for the financial difficulties, as the government reimburses the corporations for the cost of the free tickets.
The boards of the four transport corporations had previously sought a fare increase of up to 90 per cent, according to the Minister.
