Karnataka to increase state bus fares from November 5
Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh said the extent of the fare hike will be determined on November 4.
Karnataka will implement an increase in state-run bus fares starting November 5, according to a report by Deccan Herald. Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh announced the decision on Sunday while speaking to reporters in Chikkaballapur.
Suresh stated that the four state transport corporations are facing annual losses of Rs 2,000 crore because the union government raised diesel prices five times over the last year. He added that the corporations are already dealing with cumulative losses of Rs 9,000 crore.
The minister said the fare revision is necessary to revive the transport corporations. He noted that Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has authorised the Transport Department to decide on the specific amount of the increase.
A meeting between the Transport Department and officials from the four corporations will be held on November 4 to decide the quantum of the hike. The new rates will take effect the following day.
The Public Transport Fare Regulatory Committee previously recommended a 25 per cent hike for KSRTC, NWKRTC, and KKRTC, and a 40 per cent hike for BMTC. The Hindu reported that women and students will not be affected by the hike as they receive free travel under the Shakti scheme.