Karnataka Bus Strike Tomorrow: BMTC, KSRTC Services Likely To Be Hit Across Bengaluru & State From May 20

Karnataka is going to experience a massive public transport disruption from Wednesday, May 20, as employees of state-run transport corporations have called for an indefinite Karnataka bus strike beginning at 6 AM. The Karnataka Bus Strike strike is expected to severely affect BMTC bus services in Bengaluru along with KSRTC, NWKRTC and KKRTC operations across the state.

More than 1.25 lakh transport corporation employees across Karnataka are expected to participate in the strike. Intercity bus routes connecting cities like Mysuru, Hubballi, Mangaluru, Shivamogga & Kalaburagi may also face heavy disruption.
Karnataka Bus Strike is going to cause major travel problems for lakhs of daily commuters if the government fails to resolve the crisis before the deadline given by transport unions.

Why Are Karnataka Transport Employees Going On Strike?

The Karnataka bus strike 2026 has been called by the Joint Action Committee (JAC), led by the AITUC-affiliated KSRTC Staff and Workers' Federation along with support from several transport employee unions.

The unions announced the strike after multiple rounds of talks with the Karnataka government reportedly failed to produce any breakthrough.

Transport workers across KSRTC, BMTC, NWKRTC & KKRTC have announced a "stay-at-home" protest where employees will refuse to report for duty from May 20 onward.

The Main Demands Of Employees

The protesting transport employees have placed several demands before the Karnataka government.

The biggest demand is a 25% wage revision. Employee unions have rejected the government's reported offer of 12.50%, calling it insufficient amid rising living costs and inflation.

Workers are demanding retrospective implementation of the revised salary structure from January 1, 2024 instead of 2025.

The unions are also seeking 12 months pending arrears and the payment of Rs. 513.08 crore linked to previous wage revision dues. Full arrears for 2020, which workers claim were withheld during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Apart from salary-related demands, transport employees are also asking for Increased grocery allowance, Higher daily allowances, Scientific revision of Form-4 duty schedules and Compensation for families of transport employees who died during COVID-19.

Why Did Talks With Karnataka Government Fail?

According to union representatives, several rounds of negotiations with Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah failed to reach a final agreement.

The Joint Action Committee also accused the government of announcing transport salary hikes without proper consultation with employee representatives.

The unions had already submitted a formal strike notice on April 29, but no consensus has reportedly been reached so far.