States » SouthPosted at: Oct 1 2026 3:05PM


Karnataka RTC fares set for hike as diesel costs soar: Minister Byrathi Suresh

Bengaluru, Oct 1 (UNI) A bus fare hike is on the cards in Karnataka, with Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh on Thursday signalling an increase in fares of the state-run Road Transport Corporations as rising diesel prices squeeze their finances.
The proposed hike comes less than a year after the previous fare revision in December 2025, with the Minister saying diesel prices have since gone up by Rs 15-16 a litre.
"The bus ticket fare was increased in December 2025. Since then, diesel prices have increased by Rs 15 to Rs 16 per litre," Suresh told reporters here.
He said all four state-run transport corporations had been asked to submit detailed proposals on the fare revision. The reports are expected to be received on Thursday or Friday, following which the government will examine the extent of the increase.
The final decision will be taken after Cabinet approval, he said.
Suresh also indicated that the increase need not necessarily be uniform across Karnataka, with the government examining whether fares should vary depending on different regions and operating costs.
"We will examine how much the fares should be increased and whether the hike should vary across different regions," he said.
Defending the proposed revision, Suresh questioned how the transport corporations could absorb repeated increases in fuel costs without adjusting fares.
"If diesel prices have been increased five times by the Centre and the Opposition says bus fares should not be increased, how should we run the RTCs?" he asked.
The fare proposal assumes significance as the four state-run RTCs are also bearing the financial burden of the Shakti scheme, under which women, girls aged six years and above and transgender persons are entitled to free travel on non-luxury state-run buses.
The transport corporations have been seeking reimbursement from the state government for the revenue foregone under the scheme, with pending dues reportedly running into thousands of crores of rupees.
The proposed fare hike is likely to put the spotlight on the finances of the RTCs, even as the government continues to subsidise free bus travel under the Shakti scheme.
Karnataka's four RTCs operate thousands of buses across the state, while the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation provides services in the state capital.
Suresh, however, did not specify the percentage or amount of the proposed fare increase. The quantum will be worked out after the four corporations submit their reports and the government examines their recommendations.
The revised fares will come into force only after the government takes a final decision and the Cabinet gives its approval, the Minister said.
UNI BDN
Tags: #Karnataka RTC fares set for hike as diesel costs soar: Minister Byrathi Suresh
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