Karnataka is weighing a bus fare revision as diesel costs and financial strain weigh on its state-run operators, with Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh expected to announce a decision Nov. 4, Moneycontrol and NDTV Profit reported.
The outlets reported that Suresh plans to meet transport officials and the managing directors of all four corporations Nov. 3, a day before the expected announcement. Suresh cited diesel costs and financial pressure. Moneycontrol quoted him as saying, “We had already decided that bus fares needed to be increased.” Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said fares had not yet changed, according to Moneycontrol.
The Karnataka Economic Survey 2025-26 reports financial results through Dec. 31, 2025. The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) recorded a ₹231.94 crore loss, and the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) a ₹300.52 crore loss. The North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) reported a ₹285.24 crore profit, while the Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KKRTC) reported a ₹158.73 crore profit. A calculation from the survey’s figures puts their combined result at a ₹88.49 crore loss.
Separately, The New Indian Express reported that the Oct. 29 Cabinet approved an ₹8-per-liter package tied to Nandini milk procurement, including ₹7 per liter for producers and ₹1 for milk unions, effective Nov. 1. The report said ₹7 per liter is allocated to producers and ₹1 to milk unions; the procurement price is reported to rise from ₹35 to ₹42 per liter. The existing ₹5 state incentive would put farmers’ receipts at ₹47 per liter, while unions will set the final retail price.
The New Indian Express reported that the last statewide bus fare change was authorized Jan. 2, 2025, and took effect three days later, raising fares 15%. The Karnataka Fiscal Policy Institute says the Shakti scheme waives fares for eligible residents on designated state bus services, with reimbursements to operators based on distance traveled. The treatment of those journeys under a possible fare revision has not been announced. If fares rise, passengers who pay for tickets would face higher costs; that is an inference because no new fare has been set. Suresh’s scheduled Nov. 3 meeting is the next step before the expected announcement the following day, Moneycontrol and NDTV Profit reported.
