A decision on increasing bus fares of Karnataka’s state-run transport corporations is likely soon, with the high-level committee headed by retired officer Atul Tiwari set to submit its report to the government in a day or two, Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh said on Wednesday. The anticipated fare revision comes amid escalating operational costs that have severely strained the balance sheets of public transport undertakings across the state.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting in Bengaluru on traffic congestion, road safety and enforcement of traffic rules, Suresh said a fare hike had become necessary as the transport corporations were facing severe financial difficulties, TNIE reported. The move directly impacts commuters reliant on services operated by the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC), and Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KKRTC). MRPL Oil Refinery Blast: Tremors Felt Across Mangaluru After Massive Explosion.
Rising Diesel Costs Inflict Heavy Annual Losses
Addressing the root cause of the fiscal deficit, the minister pointed to recurring revisions in fuel prices. He said diesel prices had increased by INR 15 to INRÂ 16 per litre following four hikes by the BJP-led central government in the past year.
This, he said, had resulted in an annual loss of INRÂ 8,000 crore to the state transport corporations. The sharp fuel price escalation has substantially widened the gap between operating revenue and running expenditure, prompting the state administration to explore fare adjustments to keep the transport network viable.
Atul Tiwari Committee Report to Reach Cabinet
The government had tasked a dedicated panel to review the economic health of public mobility operators. The Atul Tiwari committee has examined the financial position of all the transport corporations.
Its report will be placed before the Cabinet for discussion, following which the fare revision will be taken up after obtaining Chief Minister DK Shivakumar’s approval, Suresh said. The state cabinet is expected to deliberate on the recommended hike percentage while balancing commuter burden and corporate solvency.
Smart Cards for Shakti Scheme Beneficiaries
Alongside the potential ticket price adjustment, the transport department is introducing stricter verification mechanisms for its flagship welfare initiative. Meanwhile, the government will introduce smart cards for women beneficiaries of the Shakti scheme, which provides free travel on state-run buses.
The move is aimed at ensuring that the benefit is restricted to women from Karnataka, following reports of women from other states availing themselves of free travel. The tender process for issuing smart cards to one crore women in the first phase has been completed. The cards will be ready and distributed within two months, Suresh said.
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