Karnataka to set up fare regulatory committee: Expect bus fare hikes every two years

An independent public transport fare regulatory committee is on the cards to periodically review and recommend fare hikes for KSRTC, BMTC, NWKRTC, and KKRTC.

Karnataka’s public transport users can now expect bus fares to be revised more frequently, with the state government proposing the formation of an independent Public Transport Fare Regulatory Committee. This marks a significant shift from the current system where fare hikes are controlled by the government and often delayed due to political and social pressures.

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The proposed committee, as per the draft notification issued Tuesday, will be chaired by either a retired IAS officer who served as an additional chief secretary or a retired judge of the Karnataka High Court. The panel will also have two other members, one a retired principal secretary or secretary to the government and another an industry expert or financial specialist. The KSRTC Managing Director will serve as the member-secretary.

The committee will study the financial health of KSRTC, BMTC, NWKRTC, and KKRTC and recommend fare revisions periodically. Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy defended the move, saying delays in fare revision had severely impacted RTC finances. “With an independent committee in place, revisions can happen at least once in two years,” he said.

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This announcement comes in the wake of public outrage over Namma Metro’s recent fare hike of up to 110%, which was later partially rolled back after backlash. However, no provision has been made for public suggestions or objections in the fare revision process for buses, which could invite future debates.

In January, all four RTCs had already implemented a 15% hike. A 2022 report by retired IAS officer M.R. Sreenivasa Murthy had recommended such a committee to ensure timely revisions and prevent losses.

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