Karnataka bus fares may rise: panel invites public views till September 21

The Karnataka Public Transport Fare Regulation Committee (KPTFRC) has invited objections and suggestions from the public on a proposed revision of bus fares in the State. The committee issued a public notice on Saturday, taking a step towards what would be the first fare revision for buses carried out through a dedicated regulatory body in Karnataka.

The KPTFRC has been constituted on the lines of the Fare Fixation Committee that decides fares for Namma Metro. It is headed by former IAS officer Atul Kumar Tiwari.

Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh had recently indicated that a fare hike was under consideration. He said the Union government had raised fuel prices several times, while the State Road Transport Corporations (RTCs) continued to operate at older fare rates. As a result, he said, the four corporations together were incurring losses of ₹8,000 crore to ₹10,000 crore every year.

“Once the committee submits its report, we will place it before the Cabinet and get an approval for fare revision,” Mr. Suresh said in August.

According to the public notice, the State government has appointed the chairman and members of the KPTFRC. The committee has been given the responsibility of studying the financial position of all the road transport corporations and suggesting revisions of various fares from time to time. It will also recommend surcharges and fees on fares, with the aim of improving the financial and operational efficiency of the four corporations in the State.

The notice stated that all four corporations had already submitted their proposals for fare revision. The reasons cited were the revision of diesel and fuel rates, an increase in the wages of corporation staff, the need to continue providing quality and safe transport to the travelling public at affordable prices, and the requirement to meet social obligations.

No quantum of increase has been indicated so far, and no revised fares have been announced. The notice is a consultation step, not a decision. Any change would follow the committee’s report and a subsequent approval by the State Cabinet.

Fares on State-run buses affect a large number of daily passengers, including students, office-goers and workers who depend on public transport. The corporations also carry obligations such as concessional travel for certain categories of passengers, which are reviewed alongside fare proposals.

Objections and suggestions may be submitted to the Chairman, Karnataka Public Transport Fare Regulatory Committee, Sarige Bhavan, KSRTC Central Office, Shanti Nagar, Bangalore 560027, by post, or through the web link http://ksrtc.org/fare_revision_feedback/. The last date for sending feedback is September 21.

The creation of a fare regulation committee is a first for bus fares in Karnataka, mirroring the metro model in which an independent panel fixes fares after reviewing the finances of the operator and the views of the public. The committee’s recommendations, once submitted, will be placed before the State Cabinet for a final decision.