Karnataka bus fare hike draws commuters’ ire; concerns over rising cost of living

Bengaluru The Karnataka government’s announcement to increase bus fares across State-run transport corporations has drawn the ire of commuters, who say the hike will add to the financial burden on ordinary households, particularly after the recent increases in milk and curd prices. Commuters have expressed dissatisfaction over the timing of the decision, arguing that repeated increases in public transport fares are making daily travel increasingly expensive. Several have also questioned the rationale behind the hike, pointing out that the government is yet to clear pending reimbursements to transport corporations under schemes such as Shakti. Using public transport tough Prasanth Kumar, a resident of J.P. Nagar, criticised the government for repeatedly increasing public transport fares while encouraging people to use buses and the metro. “Year after year, commuters are rewarded with fare hikes, from BMTC to the metro, even as we are encouraged to use and promote public transport.