Bengaluru, November 2026 : Karnataka is set to increase fares on buses operated by state-run transport corporations from November 5, just days after the state government raised milk and curd prices. Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh confirmed the decision, saying the revised fare structure would be finalised following a meeting with officials on Wednesday.
The Transport Department will meet representatives of all four state-run transport corporations to determine the extent of the increase. The revised fares are scheduled to come into effect from Thursday, November 5.
Suresh said the issue of increasing bus fares was discussed at the recent state Cabinet meeting, which entrusted the responsibility of taking the final decision to Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and the Transport Department.
The minister maintained that the fare revision had become necessary because of mounting operational expenses and the financial difficulties faced by the transport corporations.
According to Suresh, the Centre had increased diesel prices four times, placing an additional annual financial burden of approximately Rs 2,000 crore on the state's four transport corporations.
He said the combined losses of these corporations had reached Rs 9,000 crore, making it increasingly difficult for them to manage their operations without additional revenue.
"We have no other option but to increase fares. A fare revision is essential to financially revive the transport corporations," Suresh said.
The government is expected to finalise the revised rates after consultations with officials of the four corporations. However, the precise percentage or amount of the proposed hike had not been announced as of Wednesday.
The decision is likely to affect passengers who depend on state-run buses for daily travel across Karnataka. The fare revision follows the recent increase in milk and curd prices, adding to the cost-related concerns of households.
The government's stated objective is to improve the financial position of the transport corporations and address the growing burden of operational expenses.
