Karnataka hikes bus fares across four state transport corporations
Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh announced the fare revision, which applies to KSRTC, BMTC, NWKRTC, and KKRTC services.
The Karnataka government has increased bus fares across its four state-run transport corporations, effective from midnight on Wednesday, according to reports by ThePrint, Moneycontrol, and ANI. The revision applies to the KSRTC, BMTC, North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC), and Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KKRTC).
Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh stated that the decision was made due to rising diesel prices, growing employee-related costs, and financial losses faced by the corporations. He noted that the Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra governments have also increased their bus fares. The average fare hike is 23 per cent for KSRTC and between 32 to 35 per cent for BMTC.
In Bengaluru, BMTC minimum fares will rise from Rs 6 to Rs 10, while the maximum fare increases from Rs 35 to Rs 45. For BMTC's AC Vajra services, the maximum fare will go up from Rs 75 to Rs 90, and Vayu Vajra services to Kempegowda International Airport will cost up to Rs 425, up from Rs 405.
Under the new KSRTC rates, express service fares to Mysuru will rise from Rs 160 to Rs 197, while travel to Chikkamagaluru will increase from Rs 295 to Rs 363. The minister said KSRTC fare hikes were capped at Rs 9, and luxury service rates were set considering competitive market prices.
The state government continues to provide free travel to Karnataka women in non-luxury government buses under the ‘Shakti’ scheme. Suresh mentioned that Rs 6,362 crore, including dues under the Shakti scheme, remains outstanding from the state government.