Karnataka Bus Ticket Fare Hike May Come Soon Says Minister Byrathi Suresh

Karnataka could soon see a revision in bus ticket fares, with Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh indicating that the government is moving closer to a decision. A high level committee headed by retired IAS officer Atul Tiwari is expected to submit its report to the government shortly. The report will be examined before the final fare revision is decided.

Speaking to reporters after attending a meeting in Bengaluru on traffic management, road safety and enforcement of traffic rules, Byrathi Suresh said the transport corporations are facing financial pressure. He said the government would consider the committee recommendations before deciding the extent of any increase.

The minister said the report was expected within a day or two. Once it reaches the government, the proposed fare revision will be discussed and placed before the cabinet. Any increase would require the necessary approval before it is implemented.

The financial condition of the state run transport corporations has been one of the main issues behind the proposed revision. Karnataka has four state transport corporations, and rising operating expenses have added pressure on their finances. Recent reports have also highlighted significant liabilities and delays in reimbursements linked to the Shakti scheme.

Suresh also referred to the impact of diesel prices on transport operations. According to his statement, higher fuel costs have added to the financial burden faced by the corporations. The committee headed by Atul Tiwari has been examining the financial position of the transport corporations before making its recommendations.

The proposed bus fare revision comes at a time when Karnataka is also discussing changes to the Nandini milk price. Milk cooperative unions have sought a price increase, citing higher production costs and financial pressure. However, the milk price decision and the bus fare decision are separate government matters.

Alongside the fare issue, the government is preparing a new smart card system for women who use the Shakti free bus travel scheme. According to the minister, the plan is intended to make identification of eligible beneficiaries easier and improve the administration of the scheme.

The government has completed the tender process for producing smart cards for the first group of beneficiaries. Around one crore women are expected to receive the cards in the initial phase, with the cards expected to be prepared and distributed within about two months, according to the minister’s statement.

The smart card plan is also linked to concerns about ensuring that the free travel benefit reaches eligible beneficiaries. The existing Shakti scheme provides free travel for eligible women in Karnataka government bus services, subject to the schemes rules and identification requirements.

Earlier reports had described the proposed smart card as an identity card for women using the free travel facility. The government has been considering the system as a way to make verification easier while managing the growing number of passengers using the scheme.

The government will now have to consider the Atul Tiwari committee report before taking a final decision on bus ticket fares. The exact percentage or amount of any increase has not been finalised in the information currently available. The final decision will come only after the report is examined and the required cabinet approval is obtained.

For daily passengers, the proposed fare revision could become an important development because state run buses are widely used for regular travel across Karnataka. At the same time, the planned Shakti smart cards are expected to bring a more structured identification system for women who continue to use the free travel facility.