Karnataka to hike state-run bus fares from November 5
Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh said the extent of the fare increase will be decided on November 4.
Bus fares in Karnataka's state-owned road transport corporations will increase from November 5, according to reports by The Hindu and Deccan Herald. Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh announced the decision on Sunday while speaking to reporters in Chikkaballapur.
The Minister stated that the four state-owned road transport corporations (RTCs) incur annual losses of Rs 2,000 crore and have total losses of Rs 9,000 crore. He said the upward fare revision is inevitable because the BJP-led Union government increased diesel prices five times in the past year.
The Transport Department has been given the power by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and the Cabinet to decide on the revision. Officials will meet on November 4 to determine the quantum of the hike.
Women and students will not be affected by the increase as they receive free travel under the Shakti scheme. Minister Suresh noted that 845.33 crore trips by women have been covered under the scheme, with the government spending Rs 22,281.94 crore so far.
The Public Transport Fare Regulatory Committee, headed by retired IAS officer Atul Kumar Tiwari, previously recommended a 25 per cent hike for KSRTC, NWKRTC and KKRTC, and a 40 per cent hike for BMTC.