Karnataka Approves 15% Hike In Bus Fare From Jan 5; BJP Criticises Shakti Scheme

Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil, addressing the press on January 2, stated that the fare revision was unavoidable due to rising diesel prices and labour costs.

The Karnataka Cabinet on Thursday approved a 15% hike in fares for state-run buses effective from January 5, 2025. The government announced the hike citing escalating operational costs. 

The bus fare hike is expected to generate an additional Rs 74.85 crore per month for the state's four transport corporations. The four state corporations include Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC), and Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KKRTC).

Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil, addressing the press on January 2, stated that the fare revision was unavoidable due to rising diesel prices and labour costs. He said that the cost of diesel has increased from Rs 9.16 crore to Rs 13.21 crore and the labour cost has increase from Rs 12.85 crore to Rs 18.36 crore since January 2015.

Reitrating the statement, Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy said, "... In December 2020, when BS Yediyurappa was the CM, there was a 12% hike in bus fares... Five years ago, we were spending Rs 9 crores every day on diesel, now that cost has risen to Rs 13 crores per day. On salaries and other maintenance, we are spending Rs 18 crores everyday... How will we balance this?..."

However, the fare hike coincides with the state’s flagship Shakti scheme. The scheme, a poll promise of Congress, provides free bus travel for women on state-run buses. Following this, the BJP came down heavily on the Congress government. 

Taking to X, Leader of Opposition Ashoka said, "The government @INCKarnataka which has been extorting the common people in one way or another through price hikes and tax hikes since it came to power, has now increased bus fares by 15%."

"CM @siddaramaiah, you are sucking the blood of Kannadigas by increasing one price or another day after day. How many more taxes and fees should Kannadigas pay to fill the stomachs of your government's greed?," he said.