Will your bus ticket cost more soon? Karnataka’s four state-run transport corporations are carrying about ₹8,095 crore in liabilities, and a fare revision is now on the table.
Bengaluru, October 2, 2026: Karnataka’s four state-run transport corporations are under heavy financial pressure, according to reports. Their combined liabilities stand at about ₹8,095 crore, and nearly ₹5,648 crore in reimbursements under the Shakti free-travel scheme is still pending. With a bus fare revision being considered, the outcome could directly affect lakhs of daily commuters across the state.
What do the numbers show?
The four corporations are the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) and Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KKRTC). Together, their liabilities were ₹8,095.5 crore as of May 31, 2026.
Reports say about ₹5,648 crore in Shakti scheme reimbursements remains pending from the state government. The corporations have also sought ₹5,418.6 crore from the government for Shakti-linked expenses, as stated in their fare revision proposal.
How does the Shakti scheme fit in?
Launched in June 2023, the Shakti scheme allows women who are domiciled in Karnataka to travel free on ordinary, non-AC government buses. The state government reimburses the corporations for the cost of these free trips.
When reimbursements are delayed or fall short, the corporations must cover salaries, fuel and maintenance from their own cash flow. That is the core of the financial strain they have described.
Rising costs add to the pressure
The corporations have pointed to several cost increases:
- Fuel: Diesel prices have been revised upward several times in recent months. The corporations estimate this adds nearly ₹40 crore in expenditure every month.
- Salaries: A 12.5 per cent salary increase for employees is due from July.
- Pending dues: Delayed reimbursements, they say, have hurt their financial health.
Is a fare hike coming?
The corporations have asked for a fare revision. The state’s Public Transport Fare Regulatory Committee invited suggestions and objections from commuters and other stakeholders until September 21. The proposal covers all four corporations.
No final decision has been announced. Any hike remains subject to the committee’s recommendation and the government’s approval. The government has said it will try to balance the corporations’ financial needs with the burden on passengers. The size of the proposed increase has not been confirmed in the reports reviewed.
This would not be the first revision in recent years. The state approved a 15 per cent fare increase across all four corporations from January 2025, citing similar financial pressures.
What else is the government doing?
To strengthen verification under the Shakti scheme, the government is introducing smart cards for eligible women. The first phase is expected to cover around one crore beneficiaries. The transport department is also reported to be looking at expanding its electric bus fleet.
What it means for commuters
For daily bus passengers, especially in Bengaluru, the key questions are how large any increase would be and when it would apply. Free travel for women under Shakti would continue. Passengers who pay full fares, including men, students and daily wage workers, would bear any increase.
The corporations argue that rising fuel and salary costs, together with pending dues, leave them little room to manage without higher revenue. Commuters, on the other hand, have voiced concern about added travel costs at a time of rising household expenses. The final decision will have to weigh both sides.
What to watch next
- The fare committee’s recommendation after reviewing public feedback
- The state government’s decision on the size and timing of any hike
- Release of the pending Shakti reimbursements
- Rollout of Shakti smart cards
We will update this article as the committee’s recommendation and the government’s decision become public.
Stay with DWN for more updates on Karnataka news and public transport.