2 hrs ago
Karnataka to Weigh Bus Fare Hike After Transport Committee Report
Karnataka may increase bus fares after a committee studies the issue.
The committee is led by IAS officer Atul Tiwari.
The government says it wants to keep the increase as small as possible.
Officials say fuel prices and bus maintenance costs have risen.
The state spends nearly ₹8,000 crore each year on bus maintenance.
The Chief Minister and Cabinet will make the final decision.
Karnataka is also planning new bus depots and more electric buses.
It plans to give free smart cards to one crore women who qualify for the Shakti travel scheme.
Karnataka may decide on a bus fare increase after an IAS-led committee submits its report.
The government says it will keep any hike minimal to limit the burden on passengers.
State-run transport corporations last raised fares by 15% in January 2025.
Karnataka plans a ₹2,000-crore loan for bus depots and station upgrades.
The state will procure electric buses and distribute smart cards to one crore women under Shakti.
- Who
- The Karnataka government, Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, the Cabinet and state transport corporations.
- What
- The government is considering another bus fare increase while expanding bus infrastructure, electric-bus services and Shakti smart-card distribution.
- Where
- Across Karnataka, including Bengaluru roads.
- When
- The report was published on September 4, 2026; the fare decision is expected after the committee completes its study.
- Why
- Officials cite increased diesel, oil, petrol, salary and other operating costs, while seeking to maintain public transport services.
Passenger Affordability
Transport Financial Needs
Size of the fare increase
Passenger Affordability
Passengers should be protected from a large increase, and the government says it intends to keep any hike minimal.
Transport Financial Needs
Officials say higher fuel and operating costs have increased pressure on transport corporations and may require additional fare revenue.
Who should bear rising costs
Passenger Affordability
The Transport Department and state government should absorb part of the additional cost to limit the burden on passengers.
Transport Financial Needs
The government says transport corporations need support because the state spends heavily on maintenance and has not raised fares since January 2025.
Key facts
- Committee
- An IAS officer-led committee headed by Atul Tiwari will study the fare issue.
- Annual maintenance spending
- The state government spends nearly ₹8,000 crore a year on bus maintenance.
- Previous fare increase
- State-run transport corporations approved a 15% fare increase in January 2025.
- Infrastructure loan
- Karnataka is preparing to take a ₹2,000-crore Central government loan for depots and bus-station upgrades.
- Electric buses
- The state has approval to procure 4,500 electric buses for BMTC under the PM E-DRIVE programme.
- Electric-bus costs
- The project is expected to cost about ₹600 crore annually and around ₹12,000 crore over 20 years.
- Shakti smart cards
- The first phase will provide free smart cards to about one crore women at an estimated cost of ₹250 crore.
Quotes
Byrathi Suresh
Karnataka Transport Minister
“Over the past eight months, the Central government has increased diesel prices four times, along with oil and petrol prices. We have not increased fares despite this. The State government spends nearly ₹8,000 crore a year on bus maintenance. This is not about making a profit, but about helping citizens.”
thehindubusinessline.com
Sources
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