The Government of Karnataka has announced an immediate upward revision in passenger bus fares across all four state-run transport corporations—BMTC, KSRTC, NWKRTC, and KKRTC—effective from the midnight of 4 November 2026.
Announced by Karnataka Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh in Bengaluru, the tariff revision sees ordinary BMTC city bus fares surge by up to ₹10, while the hike on Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) inter-city services has been capped at ₹9. The revision is aimed at mitigating combined annual operational losses of over ₹2,000 crore driven by elevated diesel prices and staff wage revisions. Explore our national transit infrastructure coverage in our report on the Pune Metro Line 3 Opening & Fares.
01. BMTC Bengaluru City & Airport Bus Fare Revisions
Commuters navigating Bengaluru’s urban grid will see adjusted ticket pricing across regular, AC Vajra, and airport Volvo fleets:
| BMTC Bus Service Category | Old Fare | Revised Fare | Total Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ordinary Non-AC City Bus (Minimum Fare) | ₹6 | ₹10 | +₹4 |
| Ordinary Non-AC City Bus (Maximum Fare) | ₹35 | ₹45 | +₹10 |
| AC Vajra Volvo Service (Maximum Fare) | ₹75 | ₹90 | +₹15 |
| Vayu Vajra (Hebbal to Airport) | ₹175 | ₹200 | +₹25 |
| Vayu Vajra (Maximum City to Airport) | ₹405 | ₹425 | +₹20 |
02. KSRTC & Inter-District Service Revision
Across statewide inter-district connectivity, the government has capped fare hikes for ordinary state transport at ₹9 per journey segment. Premium services—including Rajahamsa, Airavat Club Class, and EV Power Plus inter-city electric coaches—have had fares adjusted to align with competitive private inter-state market rates:
- KSRTC Ordinary Services: Maximum ticket hike restricted to ₹9.
- Express Services: Standard fare slabs adjusted upwards from ₹81 to ₹100 for key regional stages.
- Long-Distance Express Routes: Minimum base fares increased from ₹75 to ₹90.
- Regional Divisions: Uniform fare structures take effect across North Western Karnataka (NWKRTC) and Kalyana Karnataka (KKRTC) divisions.
03. Status of the Shakti Scheme for Women
The state government confirmed that the flagship Shakti Scheme—which provides zero-fare public bus transport to eligible women domiciled in Karnataka—remains completely unaffected by the fare hike:
- Women commuters will continue to travel completely free of charge on all ordinary, non-luxury government buses across Karnataka.
- The state government will directly reimburse the four transport corporations for the enhanced ticket values corresponding to zero-fare tickets issued under the scheme.
- Premium and air-conditioned services (such as Vajra, Vayu Vajra, and Rajahamsa) remain outside the preview of the Shakti scheme.
04. Why Did Karnataka Hike Bus Fares?
Addressing the press, Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh highlighted that the four state transport corporations collectively face annual operational deficits touching ₹2,000 crore. While the Public Transport Fare Regulatory Committee had recommended a steeper 40% hike for BMTC and 25% for KSRTC, the state cabinet moderated the increase to protect daily commuters.
Suresh also noted that neighboring state transport entities in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra had implemented tariff revisions to cope with elevated diesel overheads, asserting that the step was necessary to maintain fleet reliability, safety compliance, and employee pension commitments.
05. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the new minimum fare for BMTC buses in Bengaluru?
The minimum fare for ordinary non-AC BMTC buses in Bengaluru has increased from ₹6 to ₹10 starting 5 November 2026.
Is the Shakti scheme still active after the Karnataka bus fare hike?
Yes. The Shakti scheme remains fully operational, providing free travel to women on non-luxury state buses across BMTC, KSRTC, NWKRTC, and KKRTC.
How much does the BMTC airport bus (Vayu Vajra) cost now?
Fares for BMTC Vayu Vajra services have increased by ₹20 to ₹25, with Hebbal-to-airport tickets priced at ₹200 and long-distance city-to-airport routes capping at ₹425.
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07. Sources
- Karnataka Transport Department: Official Bus Tariff Revision Notification, Bengaluru, 4 November 2026.
- Press Trust of India (PTI) & The Times of India: Karnataka State Transport Fare Revision Analysis, November 2026.
NewsY Public Transit Desk: Fare structures, distance slabs, and corporation rules reflect official state transport ministry notifications effective November 2026.
