The Karnataka cabinet, on Thursday, approved a 15 per cent hike in the bus fare across all four state-run road transport corporations (RTCs). The revised fare will come into effect from January 5. The move has been opposed by the Opposition parties which blamed the guarantee schemes, particularly, the free bus scheme for women for the "sorry state of finances" in the state.
Law minister and Parliament Affairs minister H.K. Patil, during a media briefing, said that the bus fares were last revised in 2015 and the current hike was necessary owing to the rising operational costs.
“The diesel expenses of the corporations which was Rs 9.14 crore per day in 2015 have increased to Rs 13.21 crore now. Meanwhile, salary expenditure has increased from Rs 12.85 crore to Rs 18.36 crore in the last five years. The overall increase in operational costs is Rs 9.56 crore,” said Patil.
The hike would help the four RTCs – Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), North West Road Transport Corporation (NWRTC) Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KKRTC) and the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) mop up an additional monthly revenue of Rs 74.85 crore.
“The government is raising a loan of Rs 2,000 crore from financial bodies to clear pending salary arrears, PF and DA allowances,” informed Patil.
Also read
- Karnataka HC issues notice to state govt as women lawyers demand 33% quota in governing body
- Karnataka's Hindu leaders address population decline, here's why
- Contractor Sachin Panchala case: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah rules out CBI probe
- Jilted lover blasts himself with gelatin stick outside teen girl’s house in Karnataka
The RTU unions had announced an indefinite strike from December 31, 2024, demanding that the government clear all the pending dues. However, the strike was called off following an assurance from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
The BJP slammed the Congress government for burdening the common man by hiking the bus fare and alleged the ruling Congress had failed to fund its free bus scheme for women (Shakti) and was now taxing the bus passengers.
BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra said, “The CM has failed to fund the Shakti scheme and has led the RTCs to suffer huge losses. You have guaranteed free bus travel for women and burdened the men with a fare hike. The decision is unscientific and anti-people.”
Defending the move, Patil said, “The government has allocated Rs 5,015 crore for Shakti scheme for the current financial year and accordingly Rs 417 crore was paid to the corporations each month,” said Patil.
Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy defended the fare hike stating that the RTC unions had been demanding for a fare revision since the last six months.
“The BMTC had last revised the bus fare in 2014 when diesel cost was Rs 30. The other three RTCs were last revised in 2020. The diesel cost was Rs 60 and now it is Rs 90. Even the salary expenditure has increased over the years and today we have an additional burden of Rs 10 crore per day,” said Reddy.
