Karnataka bus fares rise by up to 35 per cent
Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh announced fare hikes for four state-run corporations effective from Thursday midnight.
The Karnataka government has announced a fare increase across four state-run transport corporations, with BMTC fares rising by 33 to 35 per cent. Fares for KSRTC, NWKRTC, and KKRTC will increase by 23 per cent, according to reports from Urban Acres, South First, and ANI.
Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh defended the decision, citing rising fuel prices, employee expenses, and operational costs. He stated that the four corporations have already incurred a loss of approximately Rs 9,000 crore and face an annual loss of about Rs 2,000 crore.
Under the new BMTC structure, minimum fares for ordinary services will rise from Rs 6 to Rs 10, while maximum fares will increase from Rs 35 to Rs 45. For Vajra air-conditioned services, the minimum fare will rise from Rs 15 to Rs 20, and the maximum fare for a 60-kilometre journey will increase from Rs 75 to Rs 90.
KSRTC express bus fares will also see changes, such as journeys to Kolar and Tumakuru rising from Rs 81 to Rs 100. An express journey from Bengaluru to Kalaburagi will now cost Rs 928, up from Rs 754, while the Bengaluru-Belagavi fare will rise from Rs 603 to Rs 742.
Minister Suresh denied that the Shakti scheme, which provides free travel to women, is responsible for the financial difficulties. He stated that the government pays the full cost of the scheme to the corporations, noting that the government has paid approximately Rs 16,595.75 crore under the scheme since 2023.
The revised rates are scheduled to take effect from Thursday midnight.