Karnataka has increased fares across its four state-run transport corporations, with the revised rates coming into effect from midnight on November 4, effectively from November 5. BMTC fares in Bengaluru have risen by an average of 33–35%, while fares for KSRTC, NWKRTC and KKRTC services have increased by around 23%. The government says the hike is necessary to manage rising diesel prices, employee-related expenses, dearness allowance, spare-parts costs and mounting losses.
Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh said the fares were not increased to make a profit but “to reduce losses and save corporations like KSRTC and BMTC”. Commuters and Opposition leaders, however, have criticised the timing of the increase, coming shortly after higher milk and curd prices and amid concerns over the rising cost of living.
Bengaluru Sees Steeper Rise
The sharpest increase is affecting BMTC passengers in Bengaluru. The minimum fare on ordinary BMTC buses has risen from ₹6 to ₹10, while the maximum has increased from ₹35 to ₹45. Fares are being revised stage-wise rather than through a uniform percentage increase.
For example, journeys from Majestic to Shivajinagar have risen from ₹12 to ₹18, while Majestic–Banashankari fares have increased from ₹23 to ₹35. On AC Vajra services, the maximum fare has risen from ₹75 to ₹90, while the maximum Vayu Vajra fare to Kempegowda International Airport has increased from ₹405 to ₹425.
Long-Distance Fares Increase
Passengers travelling outside Bengaluru will also pay more. The fare from Bengaluru to Nelamangala and Hoskote has increased from ₹35 to ₹44, while fares to Doddaballapur and Anekal have risen from ₹38 to ₹47. On KSRTC Express services, the Bengaluru–Kolar fare has increased from ₹81 to ₹100.
The minister said the increase for KSRTC varies according to the stages travelled, with the maximum increase in ordinary fares capped at ₹9. Luxury services such as Rajahamsa and air-conditioned services were assessed separately, taking prevailing market prices into account. Daily and monthly pass rates are also being revised.
Corporations Under Financial Strain
The government has defended the decision by highlighting the financial pressures facing the four transport corporations. According to Suresh, around 80% of their expenditure goes towards diesel and staff-related costs. The corporations have accumulated losses of around ₹10,200 crore, while their combined outstanding liabilities and loans stood at ₹9,912.10 crore as of September 30.
These include pending employee provident fund contributions, retirement benefits, salary revision dues and other staff-related payments. The government has also cited rising diesel prices and higher salaries, dearness allowance and spare-parts costs as reasons for revising fares.
Final Hike Below Recommendation
The final fare revision is lower than the increase proposed during the fare-review process. The Public Transport Fare Regulation Committee, headed by retired IAS officer Atul Kumar Tiwari, submitted its report to the government on October 6.
According to the Transport Department’s account, the committee recommended a 45% increase for BMTC and 28% for the other three corporations. The government ultimately approved an average increase of 33–35% for BMTC and 23% for KSRTC, NWKRTC and KKRTC. BMTC had reportedly sought a much larger increase, with the minister saying the corporation had sought a 90% hike.
Shakti Scheme In Focus
The fare increase has also brought renewed attention to Karnataka’s Shakti scheme, under which women can travel free on non-luxury government buses. Suresh rejected claims that the scheme was responsible for the corporations’ financial problems, saying the government reimburses the corporations for tickets used by women passengers. Around 74.40 lakh women use the scheme every day, according to the minister.
He said the government had released around ₹16,589 crore towards reimbursements between 2023-24 and October 2026, while around ₹5,000 crore remained pending under the scheme. Total pending payments owed by the government to the four corporations stood at around ₹6,362 crore, including Shakti-related reimbursements.
Commuters Question Timing
The fare hike comes shortly after Karnataka increased the price of Nandini milk by ₹8 per litre from November 1, with curd prices also rising. The back-to-back increases have fuelled concerns among commuters about household expenses, particularly among people who depend on buses for daily travel.
Critics have also warned that a substantial increase in public transport fares could make some passengers consider private vehicles, potentially adding to traffic and pollution in Bengaluru. At the same time, the government argues that keeping fares unchanged would deepen the financial stress of transport corporations that serve millions of passengers every day.
Government Defends Decision
Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has defended the increase by pointing to the financial condition of the transport corporations and rising fuel costs. He has also said that fares could be reconsidered if petrol and diesel prices come down. Suresh, meanwhile, argued that Karnataka’s fares remain comparatively affordable and said the government had deliberately kept the increase below the level sought by the corporations and the fare-review process.
The four corporations together operate about 26,125 buses, run more than 24,000 daily schedules and carry an average of 1.24 crore passengers a day, according to the transport minister.
Opposition Raises Concerns
Opposition leaders have criticised the decision and questioned the burden being placed on commuters. BJP leaders have described the increase as excessive and have announced protests, while the government has maintained that the revision is necessary to prevent the state-run corporations from sinking further into financial distress.
The debate therefore centres on a difficult balance: whether the government should prioritise keeping fares affordable for passengers or raise revenue to maintain a financially sustainable public transport system.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Public transport is an essential service, particularly for workers, students, women and lower-income households who depend on affordable buses for everyday mobility. At the same time, financially distressed transport corporations cannot provide reliable services indefinitely without addressing rising operational costs and accumulated liabilities.
The answer should not be a choice between financially viable transport bodies and affordable mobility. Transparent accounting, timely government reimbursements, better cost management and regular, predictable fare reviews could help distribute the burden more fairly. Do you think Karnataka’s fare hike is necessary to keep its public transport system sustainable, or should the government find other ways to protect commuters from rising costs?
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