Karnataka bus fare hike: BMTC, KSRTC, airport bus passengers to pay more from tonight, check revised fares

Commuters in Karnataka will have to pay more for travel on state-run buses from Wednesday midnight, November 4, after the state government increased fares across all four transport corporations, reports PTI. The revision, announced by Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh, raises fares by up to Rs 9 on Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) services and up to Rs 10 on Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) buses.

The fare revision will affect ordinary and city bus services as well as premium and airport transport. Explaining the decision, Suresh said the government had considered fare increases in neighbouring states, including Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, and pointed to rising diesel prices as a reason for the hike.

Also Read: Amul raises butter, ghee prices: Check new prices and reason

BMTC bus fares in Bengaluru revised

In Bengaluru, the minimum fare on BMTC buses will increase from Rs 6 to Rs 10, while the maximum fare will rise from Rs 35 to Rs 45. Passengers using air-conditioned Vajra buses will also face higher charges, with the maximum fare going up from Rs 75 to Rs 90.

The revised fares will also apply to Vayu Vajra airport services. The maximum fare on these buses will increase from Rs 405 to Rs 425, while the minimum airport fare will rise from Rs 175 to Rs 200.

KSRTC fare hike capped at Rs 9

Suresh said the maximum increase on KSRTC services had been limited to Rs 9. Fares for premium services, including Rajahamsa and air-conditioned buses, have been set with prevailing market prices for comparable services in mind.

The hike comes even as the state government continues to operate its Shakti scheme, which allows women to travel free of charge on non-luxury government buses within Karnataka.

Also Read: Karnataka milk price hike: Nandini rates revised from today, check new prices of milk and curd

Nandini milk and curd prices also rise

The bus fare revision follows a recent increase in prices of Nandini milk and curd, which came into effect on November 1. The revised rates have made several varieties of milk costlier by Rs 8 to Rs 12 per litre, The New Indian Express reported.

Toned milk now costs Rs 54 per litre, compared with Rs 46 earlier, while homogenised toned milk is priced at Rs 56, up from Rs 47. Homogenised cow milk has increased from Rs 50 to Rs 58 per litre.

Special toned milk and Shubham milk now cost Rs 64 per litre, compared with Rs 52 previously. Homogenised Shubham milk has also become costlier, rising from Rs 53 to Rs 65 per litre.

Curd prices have increased as well. A 500-gram pouch now costs Rs 34, up from Rs 28, while the price of a one-litre pouch has risen from Rs 54 to Rs 68.

Why Nandini milk prices were increased

The revision followed discussions between the state government, dairy farmers, milk unions and officials of the Karnataka Cooperative Milk Producers' Federation (KMF). The state Cabinet approved an additional Rs 8 per litre in the procurement price paid to milk producers after demands for better compensation amid rising costs and drought-related difficulties.

Under the revised arrangement, farmers will receive an additional Rs 7 per litre, while the remaining Re 1 will go to milk unions to meet operational expenses, including packaging, transportation and fuel.

The procurement price has consequently increased from Rs 35 to Rs 42 per litre. With the existing state incentive of Rs 5 per litre continuing, dairy farmers will receive Rs 47 per litre.

KMF officials have also indicated that prices of other dairy products, including butter, ghee and buttermilk, could be revised. Any changes would depend on factors such as the products' fat content.