K'taka Ups Fares in State-Owned Buses

The Karnataka cabinet on Thursday decided to increase the bus fares in the state-owned transport corporations by 15 per cent.

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The decision was taken in view of the substantial hike in operational costs such as increase in spending on fuel prices and staff, Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil said.

The opposition BJP lashed out at the Congress government in the state over its decision to hike bus fares. Addressing reporters here, Patil said the decision will come into effect from January 5.

The move is expected to generate Rs 74.85 crore monthly and about Rs 784 crore annually.

"The cabinet has decided to revise the bus fare of the four state transport corporations -- KSRTC, NWKRTC, KKRTC and BMTC by 15 per cent," he said.

According to Patil, the BMTC bus fares were increased on January 10, 2015 when the diesel prices were Rs 60.90 per litre.