States » SouthPosted at: Nov 4 2026 1:46PM


Karnataka hikes bus fares by up to 35 pc after milk price increase

Bengaluru, Nov 4 (UNI) Congress government in Karnataka has come under mounting criticism after increasing bus fares across all four state-run transport corporations, days after raising Nandini milk and curd prices, adding to the financial burden on households.
The revised bus fares, announced by Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh on Wednesday, will come into effect from midnight. The increase ranges from 23 per cent on average for Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) services to 32-35 per cent for Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) buses, according to the minister.
The revision covers KSRTC, BMTC, North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) and Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KKRTC).
In Bengaluru, the minimum BMTC fare has been increased from Rs 6 to Rs 10, while the maximum fare has gone up from Rs 35 to Rs 45. The maximum fare on air-conditioned Vajra buses has increased from Rs 75 to Rs 90. Vayu Vajra airport services will also become costlier, with the maximum fare rising from Rs 405 to Rs 425.
The government attributed the revision to rising diesel prices, employee-related expenditure and mounting losses of the four transport corporations, estimated at around Rs 10,200 crore.
The corporations operate around 26,125 buses and carry an average of 124.79 lakh passengers daily. The government said nearly 80 per cent of their expenditure goes towards fuel and employee-related costs.
Women will continue to travel free on eligible non-air-conditioned government buses under the Shakti scheme.
The bus fare increase comes close on the heels of the Rs 8-per-litre increase in Nandini milk prices, which came into effect on November 1. The revised prices have pushed toned milk from Rs 46 to Rs 54 per litre, while several other varieties have also become costlier.
Curd prices have increased as well, with a 500-gram pouch rising from Rs 28 to Rs 34 and a one-litre pouch from Rs 54 to Rs 68.
The government has defended the milk price revision, saying it was necessary to improve payments to dairy farmers amid rising production costs. Of the additional Rs 8 per litre, Rs 7 will go to milk producers and Re 1 to milk unions to meet operational expenses.
Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has also instructed Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) officials to reconsider and reduce curd prices following criticism from consumers and hotel owners.
The twin price increases have triggered protests by opposition groups and other organisations, with demonstrators accusing the government of placing an additional burden on ordinary families.
In Mysuru, members of the Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist) staged a protest at Ramaswamy Circle against the increases in milk, curd and bus fares.
The protesters argued that the decisions would disproportionately affect lower- and middle-income households, as milk is an essential daily commodity and public transport is widely used by workers and students.
SUCI(C) district secretary B Ravi questioned the justification for increasing consumer prices and alleged that the Karnataka Milk Federation's functioning needed greater accountability. The organisation demanded that the government withdraw the price increases and provide support to dairy farmers through subsidised cattle feed, fodder and veterinary medicines.
The developments have brought the government's pricing decisions under renewed scrutiny, with consumers facing higher costs for both essential food items and daily transportation.
UNI BDN
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see more..