Karnataka increases bus fares by up to 35 per cent
Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh defended the hike, citing rising diesel prices and losses of Rs 9,000 crore across four state transport corporations.
The Karnataka government has increased bus fares across its four state-run transport corporations, with the new rates set to take effect from November 5, according to South First and Urban Acres.
Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh announced on Wednesday that fares for KSRTC, NWKRTC, and KKRTC will rise by 23 per cent. Fares for BMTC will increase between 32 per cent and 35 per cent.
In BMTC services, the minimum fare will rise from Rs 6 to Rs 10, while the maximum fare increases from Rs 35 to Rs 45. For non-airport AC Vajra services, the minimum fare will go from Rs 15 to Rs 20, and the maximum fare for a 60-kilometre journey will rise from Rs 75 to Rs 90.
Minister Suresh defended the decision, stating that the central government increased diesel prices five times in the last nine months. He said the four transport corporations have already incurred a loss of approximately Rs 9,000 crore, with annual losses of about Rs 2,000 crore.
Addressing the Shakti scheme, which provides free travel for women, the Minister said the government pays the entire cost to the transport corporations. He stated that since 2023, the government has paid approximately Rs 16,595.75 crore to the four corporations under the scheme, with another Rs 6,360 crore still owed.