Transport dept to push for bus fare hike again

The Transport department will once again put forth the proposal to the government to hike bus fares.

The move comes three months after Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy shot down the 18% hike proposed by the state-run transport corporations. This time, however, the department has decided to leave the percentage of the hike to the government’s discretion.

Transport Minister D C Thammanna told reporters in Bengaluru on Thursday that he would again pursue the matter with the chief minister soon.

He added, “Earlier, the department had proposed an 18% hike. But it had been rejected. We will put forth the proposal again. But this time, we will leave it to the government’s discretion on setting the rates.

The bus fares were last hiked when the diesel rate was Rs 53 per litre. The department will impress upon the chief minister about the present circumstances and urge him to increase the fares”.

During a board meeting held on Wednesday, managing directors of the four transport corporations had demanded that fares be hiked as they are suffering losses to the tune of Rs 677 crore following the rise in diesel prices.

New buses to BMTC

The minister also said that the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) will add 3,000 new buses to its fleet. While the government will buy 1,500 new buses, the remaining will be hired on lease, he added.

Similarly, 313 new buses will be purchased by the North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation.

He also said that Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation too had placed a proposal to buy more buses and a decision in this regard would be taken soon.

Thammanna said that steps were being taken to upgrade toll gates across the state.

Apart from the vehicle tracking system, CCTV cameras would also be installed at all toll gates, he said. He also said that Karnataka Public Service Commission would soon fill 271 RTO posts.