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Karnataka Government mulling bus fare hike

Staff Reporter

The four transport corporations for a 10 per cent increase

BANGALORE: The Karnataka Government is considering proposals from the four road transport corporations for an increase in bus fare. The four corporations, Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC), North East Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NEKRTC) and Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), have, in their resolutions, appealed to the Government to allow them to increase bus fare by 10 per cent.

Disclosing this to presspersons on Tuesday, Transport Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy said he had decided to increase bus fare by five per cent to seven per cent. But the Cabinet would take a final decision on the exact figure shortly, he added.

Mr. Cheluvarayaswamy said while KSRTC and BMTC had recorded profits of Rs. 25 crore and Rs. 75 crore, respectively last year, the two transport corporations in the northern districts had together incurred a loss of Rs. 40 crore.

The Minister said these transport corporations had increased bus fare by 14 per cent in June last. However, the rise in the price of diesel in December last resulted in a loss of Rs. 78 crore to them. Though the transport corporations had requested the Government to reimburse the loss, it was yet to be met. There was a likelihood of an increase in the price of diesel again which would force them to burden the commuters with an increase in bus fare. He said it had been decided to ask students to bear 25 per cent of the charges for passes as against 10 per cent at present to avoid a further loss to the transport corporations. But the number of students enjoying concessional passes would be raised to 11 lakhs from nine lakh from May 1.

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