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In a move to counter the financial strain faced due to increased operational costs, the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has announced an uptick in the prices of bus passes. This adjustment comes on the heels of the Karnataka government's decision to hike fares across all state-operated bus services. Commuters will now have shell out more for their daily, weekly, and monthly travel passes starting Thursday.
The adjustment in pass prices is a direct response to the fare increments introduced on January 5, affecting services across the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC), and Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KKRTC). Following this, the cost for a regular daily pass has escalated from Rs 70 to Rs 80. Similarly, the price for a weekly pass has seen a jump, now pegged at Rs 350, marking an increase from the earlier Rs 300. The most notable hike is observed in the ordinary monthly pass, which has gone from Rs 1,050 to Rs 1,200. For those utilizing the NICE Road for their daily commutes, the monthly pass now stands at Rs 2,350, a leap from Rs 2,200.
For passengers preferring the comfort of Vajra AC buses, the price revisions are equally tangible. The daily pass for this category has risen from Rs 120 to Rs 140, while the monthly pass sees a new price tag of Rs 2,000, up from Rs 1,800. Additionally, the Vayu Vajra services, which offer connectivity to Kempegowda International Airport, will now cost Rs 4,000 for a monthly pass, a step up from Rs 3,755. The revised fare structure also affects students relying on AC bus services, with the monthly pass now costing Rs 1,400, up from Rs 1,200.
The rationale behind these fare adjustments is rooted in the substantial rise in operational costs experienced by the transport sector. The transport minister highlighted that since the last fare revision in 2015, the price of diesel has surged significantly, from Rs 60.90 per litre to current rates. As a result, BMTC's daily expenditure on diesel has skyrocketed from Rs 9.16 crore to Rs 13.21 crore. Furthermore, staff-related expenses have ballooned from Rs 12.95 crore to Rs 18.36 crore. These escalating costs have necessitated the fare revision as a means to alleviate the financial burdens shouldered by the transport corporations, ensuring their sustained operation and service provision to the commuting public.
This fare increase is part of a broader strategy to maintain the viability of public transport services amidst rising operational challenges. By adjusting the prices of travel passes, BMTC aims to strike a balance between managing its increased expenses and continuing to offer reliable bus services to Bengaluru's residents.
