Bus travel across Karnataka is edging closer to a price hike. The newly established Karnataka Public Transport Fare Regulation Committee (KPTFRC) has officially invited objections and recommendations from commuters on proposed fare revisions across the state's four state-run transport corporations.

Key Facts

  • Committee Head: Former IAS officer Atul Kumar Tiwari
  • Feedback Deadline: September 21 via post or online link
  • Financial Strain: State RTCs report annual losses between ₹8,000 crore and ₹10,000 crore
  • Next Step: Final report to be reviewed by the State Cabinet for approval

A First-of-Its-Kind Regulatory Panel

Modeled after the Fare Fixation Committee of Namma Metro, the KPTFRC marks the first time Karnataka has instituted an independent regulatory body specifically tasked with handling state bus fare restructuring. The committee is mandated to examine the operational health of each road transport corporation and determine sustainable fare levels alongside potential surcharges.

According to the public notice issued by the committee on Saturday:

“The committee has been given the responsibility to study the financial conditions of all the road transport corporations and suggest revision of various fares from time to time and to suggest various surcharges, fees on fares in order to improve the financial and operational efficacy of all the four road transport corporations in the State.”

Mounting Losses Force Revision Push

All four transport corporations have already submitted formal revision proposals to the panel. The corporations cited recurring diesel price increases, rising staff wages, and mounting operational expenditure as primary reasons, while attempting to maintain safe services and meet mandatory social obligations.

Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh had previously indicated that an upward revision was becoming unavoidable. Suresh noted that while fuel prices set by the Union government had surged repeatedly over recent years, ticket pricing had remained stagnant, saddling the corporations with combined losses ranging from ₹8,000 crore to ₹10,000 crore each year.

“Once the committee submits its report, we will place it before the Cabinet and get an approval for fare revision,” Suresh stated in August.

How the Public Can Submit Feedback

Citizens wishing to register their thoughts, concerns, or recommendations have until September 21 to submit their inputs. Submissions can be dispatched by post to the Chairman, Karnataka Public Transport Fare Regulatory Committee, Sarige Bhavan, KSRTC Central Office, Shanti Nagar, Bengaluru 560027, or entered digitally through the transport portal at http://ksrtc.org/fare_revision_feedback/.