Karnataka hikes bus fares across four state-run transport corporations
The fare revision for KSRTC, BMTC, NWKRTC, and KKRTC takes effect from midnight on November 4.
The Karnataka government announced a hike in bus fares across four state-run transport corporations on November 4, according to reports by The Hindu and Moneycontrol. The revised rates for the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC), and Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KKRTC) take effect from midnight.
Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh said the decision was taken due to rising diesel prices, increasing expenditure on bus maintenance and spare parts, and the need for employee wage revisions. He noted that the four corporations collectively incur annual losses of approximately Rs 2,000 crore. Suresh also stated that Rs 6,362 crore, including dues under the Shakti scheme, remains outstanding from the state government.
The average fare hike for KSRTC is 23 per cent, while BMTC fares will increase by between 32 and 35 per cent. For BMTC, the minimum fare has increased from Rs 6 to Rs 10. In Bengaluru, the fare from Kempegowda Bus Station to Shivajinagar will rise from Rs 12 to Rs 18, while the Hebbal to Kempegowda International Airport fare will go up from Rs 175 to Rs 200.
KSRTC ordinary service fares from Bengaluru to Nelamangala and Hoskote will increase from Rs 35 to Rs 44. Express service fares to Kolar and Tumakuru will rise from Rs 81 to Rs 100, while travel to Mysuru will increase from Rs 160 to Rs 197. The hike covers ordinary, express, long-distance, and air-conditioned services.
The minister clarified that the Shakti scheme, which provides free travel for eligible women on non-AC buses, was not responsible for the financial difficulties of the corporations. He added that the government reimburses the corporations for the cost of these free tickets, though payments are sometimes delayed.