Karnataka Bus Fare Hike: Private, KSRTC Ticket Prices Surge; Commuters Stunned

Karnataka bus fare hike: With the festival and holiday season kicking off, private and KSRTC bus operators have found another opportunity to cash in. Taking advantage of the festive rush, they are reportedly charging double the usual fares from passengers traveling to their hometowns. The sudden hike has sparked outrage among commuters, who say they feel like they are being 'robbed' by private operators.

This extended holiday period has prompted many people in Bengaluru to plan trips back home.

Starting Thursday (Mahavir Jayanti), those who take Friday off can enjoy a five-day break with Saturday (second Saturday), Sunday, Hanuman Jayanti, and Monday (Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Jayanti) being public holidays. As a result, there's been a significant increase in the number of people leaving the city.

However, the skyrocketing private bus fares have come as a rude shock. One passenger revealed that while the fare from Devadurga to Bangalorewas ₹750 on Tuesday, it had spiked to ₹2,000 by Thursday when booked online.

Drastic Private Bus Fare Hikes (in Rupees)

KSRTC Also Hikes Fares

It's not just private bus operators; even the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has raised fares by 15 to 20 percent, leaving passengers equally upset.

Many commuters have criticised this move, arguing that while private buses have a reputation for fare hikes during festivals, public transport like KSRTC should offer relief instead of following suit. The back-to-back increases have sparked concerns over affordability and accessibility for the common man.