Karnataka Bus Fare Hike From November 5? Revised Rates To Be Announced Tomorrow; Check All Details

People in Karnataka might soon face another increase in their daily expenses, as the state government is expected to announce revised fares for state-run buses on November 4. The proposed bus fare hike in Karnataka comes as another shock just days after the government increased Nandini milk prices, which is now a big reason to worry due to rising household expenditure.

Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh said a meeting involving senior officials and the heads of Karnataka's four road transport corporations would decide the revised fares. The new rates are expected to come into effect from November 5, although the exact increase has not been revealed yet.

The government has said that the fare revision will be implemented in phases rather than a one-time increase. Suresh said a committee had recommended a huge hike, but the government was worried about the financial burden it could place on passengers.

Karnataka Bus Fare Hike: Why Is The Government Planning An Increase?

The state government has cited rising operational costs and financial losses faced by Karnataka's four road transport corporations as the primary reasons behind the proposed fare revision.

According to Suresh, the transport corporations collectively face annual losses of around Rs. 2,000 crore. He also claimed that repeated increases in diesel prices by the Centre have added significantly to their financial burden.

The minister said diesel prices have increased by approximately Rs. 15 to Rs. 16 per litre since the previous fare revision in December 2025.

Karnataka's four road transport corporations collectively operate 26,054 buses across the state.

As reported by Deccan Herald, "The three-member Public Transport Fare Regulatory Committee, headed by retired IAS officer Atul Kumar Tiwari, has recommended a 25% hike for KSRTC, NWKRTC and KKRTC, and 40% for BMTC. The corporations had asked for even more. In June, KSRTC, NWKRTC and KKRTC sought a 33% hike, while BMTC sought 40%. Other reports put BMTC's ask at about 44%. The Transport Department constituted the committee on July 10. The four corporations last raised fares by 15% in January 2025.

Karnataka Bus Fare Hike Receives Criticism From Opposition

The proposed fare revision has attracted criticism from the Opposition, with BJP leaders accusing the Congress government of increasing the financial burden on low income households.

Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka has demanded that the government withdraw the proposed hike and warned that the BJP would take to the streets if the increase goes ahead.