Karnataka’s private bus operators will implement a fare increase of 20 to 30 per cent, effective from midnight on Friday, due to rising fuel prices. The fare adjustment will vary based on specific routes, reflecting the challenges faced by bus operators in the state. The Karnataka State Bus Owners’ Association emphasised the necessity of this increase amidst mounting operational costs.

Request For Government Support

In light of the current economic strain, bus operators are urging the state government to provide financial support through subsidies, a reduction in cess, and lower road taxes. S Nataraj Sharma, President of the Karnataka State Bus Owners’ Association, highlighted that the existing conditions have exacerbated the financial difficulties for bus owners, particularly with high road taxes and the implications of the Shakti scheme, which offers free bus travel for women on government-run services.

Sharma indicated that the fuel price hike has further complicated the situation, burdening bus operators with increased operational costs. He stated that this could lead to an additional monthly expense of approximately Rs 15,000 per vehicle. For operators managing multiple buses, this could escalate to between Rs 45,000 and Rs 50,000 each month, making it increasingly challenging to maintain profitability.

On the basis of these factors, the association has determined that a fare increase is unavoidable. The adjustments could amount to around Rs 200 per seat, necessitating changes to current fare structures across various routes.

Estimated Fare Changes

Specific fare increases have been outlined for popular routes. For instance, the fare for the journey between Bengaluru and Belagavi, currently priced at Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,200, is expected to rise to between Rs 1,350 and Rs 1,400. Similarly, fares for the Bengaluru to Mangaluru and Udupi routes, presently ranging from Rs 900 to Rs 1,000, are anticipated to increase to between Rs 1,100 and Rs 1,200.

The hike in fuel prices was enacted on Friday, with petrol and diesel both seeing a rise of Rs 3 per litre. This marks the first increase in fuel rates in over four years, driven by significant losses being incurred by fuel retailers amidst escalating global crude prices, particularly following the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

These fuel price adjustments come shortly after the conclusion of Assembly elections in several states, including Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Puducherry. The timing of the price hike has raised eyebrows among stakeholders, as it significantly impacts operational costs for bus services across the region.

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