Karnataka hikes bus fares across four state-run transport corporations
The revised rates for BMTC, KSRTC, NWKRTC, and KKRTC services will come into effect from November 5.
The Karnataka government has increased bus fares across its four state-run transport corporations, including the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) and the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), according to reports by Deccan Herald, Moneycontrol and The Hindu.
Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh announced the hike, which applies to ordinary, express, and air-conditioned services. The revised fares will come into effect from November 5.
The average fare hike is 23 per cent for KSRTC, NWKRTC, and KKRTC services, while BMTC services will see an increase of 33 to 35 per cent. The Minister attributed the decision to rising diesel prices, increasing employee-related expenditure, and mounting financial losses.
In Bengaluru, the minimum BMTC fare has increased from Rs 6 to Rs 10, and the maximum from Rs 35 to Rs 45. For KSRTC express services, the fare from Bengaluru to Kolar and Tumakuru has risen from Rs 81 to Rs 100, while the fare to Mysuru has increased from Rs 160 to Rs 197.
The Minister stated that the government has reimbursed Rs 16,595.75 crore to the state-run RTCs since 2023 for the Shakti scheme, which provides free rides for women in non-luxury buses. He maintained that the cumulative losses of the four transport undertakings were not caused by the scheme.
The hike follows a recent increase in Nandini milk prices. The Minister noted that the government would do the maximum to ensure reimbursements for the Shakti scheme are received.