Protests erupt in K'taka 15% hike in state-run bus

Day after the state government announced the decision to hike the state bus fare by 15%, protests erupted across its four state-run transport corporations - KSRTC, BMTC, KKRTC, and NWKRTC - and the opposition.

- HT Correspondent

BENGALURU:

Leader of Opposition R Ashoka condemned the decision and accused the Congress-led government of mismanagement and financial inefficiency. At the Majestic bus stand in Bengaluru, Ashoka protested by offering roses to passengers while criticising the fare hike and other increased costs under the Siddaramaiah-led government's tenure.

He said: "BJP did not give free rides to the poor. Congress gave free rides and increased the prices. These are the bad guys who threw stones in milk. The CM has done good for the poor by imposing taxes on everything." He further alleged that the fare hike was a desperate measure to address financial losses incurred by the transport corporations.