Workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) staged protests in Bengaluru on Friday in response to the Karnataka State Road Transportation Corporation’s (KSRTC) announcement of a 15 percent fare hike for bus services.
R Ashoka, the Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, condemned the fare increase, attributing it to the alleged financial mismanagement of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. “There has been a 15 percent hike in the fare charges. This should not be done… there is no money in the pocket of Siddaramiah, which is why they are doing this. He is the worst CM in the history of Karnataka,” Ashoka stated during a media briefing. He further claimed that during his tenure as Transport Minister, KSRTC was profitable, contrasting it with the current losses under Siddaramaiah’s leadership.
Concerns Over Affordability
Ashoka expressed concern over the impact of the fare hike on the public, stating, “15% hike is too much, how will people pay? Private taxis are cheaper than KSRTC buses.” He also criticized the government’s decision to offer free bus travel for women while increasing fares for men.
In response, Karnataka Minister Ramalinga Reddy questioned the BJP’s motives, recalling a previous 12 percent fare increase during Yediyurappa’s tenure as Chief Minister. “Why did BJP increase the prices when they were in rule?” Reddy asked. He also highlighted the financial challenges faced by the KSRTC, stating, “When I became the Transport Minister, they left Rs 5,900 crore as a liability for us.”
BJP National Spokesperson Weighs In
BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla criticized the Congress government’s decision, labeling it the “khata khata loot model.” He claimed that the Congress party’s governance leads to increased prices across various sectors, including water, petrol, diesel, and now bus fares. “They promised free bus rides,” Poonawalla added.
Official Announcement of Fare Hike
The fare increase, approved by the state cabinet, is set to take effect on January 5, 2025. Minister HK Patil explained that the decision was made to address the financial deficit faced by the corporation, projecting a monthly revenue return of Rs 74.84 crores from the fare hike.
