Karnataka fare panel opens public window on bus fare revision

Karnataka has moved a step closer to revising bus fares, with the newly constituted Karnataka Public Transport Fare Regulation Committee (KPTFRC) inviting objections and suggestions from the public on the proposed changes.

The committee issued a public notice on Saturday, days after Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh indicated that a fare hike was on the cards. This is the first time such a body has been set up in the State for bus fare revision, and it is modelled on the Fare Fixation Committee of Namma Metro. Former IAS officer Atul Kumar Tiwari heads the panel.

According to the notice, the government has appointed the committee's chairman and members and tasked them with studying the financial position of all road transport corporations. The panel is to recommend revisions to various fares from time to time, along with surcharges and fees, so as to improve the financial and operational efficiency of the four corporations.

All four corporations have already submitted their proposals for a fare revision. They cite the revision of diesel and fuel rates, higher staff wages, the need to keep providing quality and safe transport at affordable prices, and the requirement to meet social obligations.

Mr. Suresh had said in August that the Union government had raised fuel prices several times, while the State Road Transport Corporations continued to operate at old rates. As a result, he said, the four corporations were incurring annual losses in the range of ₹8,000 crore to ₹10,000 crore. Once the committee submits its report, the government will place it before the Cabinet and seek approval for the fare revision, he added.

Objections and suggestions may be sent by post to the chairman, Karnataka Public Transport Fare Regulatory Committee, Sarige Bhavan, KSRTC, Central Office, Shanti Nagar, Bangalore 560027, or submitted through the web link http://ksrtc.org/fare_revision_feedback/ on or before September 21.