15-20% KSRTC Bus Fare Hike Suggested, Transport Minister Denies Any Proposal

The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) is considering a bus fare hike of up to 20 percent as the department is incurring losses due to the Shakti scheme, the free bus scheme for women. The proposal has been sent to the state government, and CM Siddaramaiah is yet to approve the move.

Over the past three months, KSRTC reported a loss of ₹295 crore, mainly attributed to the Shakti scheme, PTI reported.

However, Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy refuted receiving any such proposals and refused to comment on the claims of incurred losses.

Speaking to news agency PTI, KSRTC chairperson S R Srinivas said, "The increase in ticket prices is inevitable. We held a meeting two days ago and decided to send a proposal for a 15-20 percent hike in the bus fare. The hike is needed for the survival of KSRTC, which is incurring huge losses after implementing the Shakti scheme."

Srinivas highlighted the financial challenges faced by the staff, whose salaries have not been revised since 2020. "Bus services are vital. If a driver doesn't show up, a village may lose its bus service for the day. We've incurred a ₹295 crore loss in the last three months due to the Shakti scheme," he explained, PTI reported.

He proposed a fare hike of 15-20 percent, pending the chief minister's approval. "Without the fare increase, KSRTC won't survive," he warned, as quoted by PTI.

Meanwhile, North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) Chairman Raju Kage also blamed the losses on the Shakti scheme. This scheme is one of the five guarantees promised by the Congress government led by CM Siddaramaiah, which celebrated its first year on June 11, 2024, as per PTI.

"We haven't increased bus fares in the last 10 years," Kage remarked, adding, "The department is in loss, but we're still managing," PTI reported.

The Shakti scheme was one of the five key promises made by the Congress party before the assembly elections. Following its success, the Congress party extended this promise to Telangana before the assembly polls and implemented it after winning the mandate in the neighboring state.