Karnataka's Congress Government Implements 15% Bus Fare Increase; BJP Criticizes Move

Bengaluru, Jan 2 (NationPress) The government of Karnataka has officially announced a 15% increase in the bus fares for the Road Transport Corporation (RTC), with the new rates set to take effect on January 5. This announcement was made by Minister for Law H.K. Patil during a media briefing that followed the Cabinet meeting.

During his address at the Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru, Minister Patil indicated that the Cabinet had reached a consensus on this fare hike, which will impact all four transport corporations. This increase in bus fares is projected to generate an additional Rs 7.84 crore in daily revenue for the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC).

The last fare adjustment for the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) occurred on January 10, 2015, marking the first increase in a decade. At that time, the daily diesel expenses for Karnataka's transport corporations were Rs 9.16 crore, which have now risen to Rs 13.21 crore, Minister Patil noted.

Additionally, the daily staff costs for these transport corporations have escalated from Rs 12.85 crore to Rs 18.36 crore, resulting in an extra burden of Rs 9.56 crore per day. These factors contributed to the fare revision, as explained by Minister Patil.

The fare increase affects all modes of transport, including city buses and luxury buses, and is anticipated to yield an extra monthly revenue of Rs 74.85 crore, he stated.

For the Shakti scheme, which allows free travel for women, the government has allocated Rs 5,015 crore for the current fiscal year, with a monthly disbursement of Rs 417.92 crore to the four transport corporations, according to Minister Patil.

He further emphasized that this fare increase will not place an additional burden on the state's finances, asserting that Karnataka has maintained exemplary financial management.

In response to this development, Minister for Transport Ramalinga Reddy remarked that the Cabinet reached a unanimous decision to raise the bus fares.

He pointed out that the last fare hike was in 2020, and since then, diesel prices and operational costs have risen. Staff expenses have surged by 18% during this period. While profits have increased, so too have costs, which necessitated this decision to sustain the KSRTC.

The Shakti scheme has successfully benefited women using RTC buses across the state.

The former BJP government left a significant debt burden.

Minister Reddy claimed that salaries are being disbursed without crisis under the current administration, contrasting this with the previous BJP government's management. He also noted that bus fares in Karnataka are lower compared to other states.

He stated, “Our government bears the responsibility for repaying the loans from the previous regime. Profits have surged nearly to Rs 1,000 crore. This fare increase is not a shock for the new year; it was anticipated and implemented now to preserve the organization.”

The BJP condemned the 15% fare increase in government buses and warned of raising their objections publicly.

State BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra challenged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, questioning how he could claim success with the 'Panchabhagya' schemes while failing to fund the Shakti Scheme, leading the state transport corporations toward losses.

He criticized the fare hike as a burden on the public reliant on public transport, stating, “The slogan now seems to be: 'Free for women, but at the cost of men.'”

Vijayendra likened the Shakti Scheme to superficial marketing tactics, labeling it a ploy to mislead the public.

He condemned the Congress-led state government’s decision to raise fares as unscientific and detrimental to the public, asserting that the BJP would voice opposition on behalf of the citizens.

Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka remarked that since taking office, the Congress-led government has continuously burdened the populace through price hikes and tax increases, with the latest being a 15% fare increase for buses.

He questioned, “CM Siddaramaiah, how much longer must the people of Karnataka endure these escalating costs under your administration?”

In another significant development, the state Cabinet has resolved to separate the Hubballi-Dharwad City Municipal Corporation and form an independent Dharwad City Municipal Corporation.

Dharwad is recognized as the cultural center of Karnataka and is the birthplace of three Jnanpith awardees, revered for its educational legacy and referred to as 'Vidya Kashi'.

Following the announcement of the new municipal corporation, celebrations erupted outside the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation office in Dharwad, with the Dharwad Separate Corporation Struggle Committee distributing sweets and setting off firecrackers.

The demand for the bifurcation of the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation has been voiced since 2014, with residents advocating for this change due to the city's population exceeding 6.5 lakh.

As per regulations, a municipal corporation must have a population of over 3.5 lakh, prompting the Cabinet to declare Dharwad as a distinct municipal corporation.

Additionally, the minister informed that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will announce the date for the upcoming state budget presentation.

A total of 23 issues were discussed, leading to various decisions during the Cabinet meeting, with Minister Patil stating that Rs 10.54 crore has been allocated for the enhancement of Goshalas.