Karnataka: BMTC, KSRTC Bus Fares To Be Hiked By 15-18 Per Cent

State-run transport corporations such as the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) have called for a 20 per cent hike in bus fares, owing to everyday losses due to the increase in diesel prices.

Keeping passengers’ interests in mind, the bodies have agreed to come down to 18 per cent as a demand for the hike in bus fares. However, the Government of Karnataka might even reduce the percentage by 2-3 points further below, keeping it between 15-18 per cent.

Speaking to the Times of India, Transport Minister of Karnataka DC Thamanna said “Transport corporations are demanding 18 per cent increase, but we want to trim it by 1-2 per cent. Today, too, diesel price has increased. Tomorrow, prices could go up further. If this happens, we will be left with no option other than approving an 18% per cent increase,” he quoted saying that the Chief Minister’s approval is pending in the next couple of days.

Some officials say that Chief Minister Kumaraswamy has agreed to the demands, and the approval process is likely to be concluded in the next 2-3 days. The state-run transport corporations admit that it is very difficult to run the services with the current prices for even a day, since they’re facing huge losses, due to the diesel price revision. A minimum of 1-3 rupees will be increased as a result of the hike.