Bengaluru: Karnataka transport minister Byrathi Suresh on Sunday confirmed that the proposed bus fare hike by Karnataka’s state-run transport corporations would come into effect on Nov 5, adding to the financial burden on commuters just five days after the state govt increased milk prices.Suresh, who made the announcement in Chikkaballapur, said the quantum of hike will be decided at a meeting on Nov 4.He alleged that the BJP-led central govt had increased diesel prices five times in the past year, resulting in an annual loss of Rs 2,000 crore for the four state-run transport corporations. Their cumulative losses have already reached Rs 9,000 crore, he said.The issue was discussed at a recent cabinet meeting, which entrusted CM DK Shivakumar and the transport department with the responsibility of deciding on the fare revision, Suresh said.Responding to criticism by Chikkaballapur MP K Sudhakar over the proposed hike, Suresh said bus fares in Karnataka were lower than those in other states.Sudhakar should compare fares in BJP-ruled states instead of making statements without considering the facts, Suresh said, questioning whether the loss-making transport corporations should be shut down rather than being allowed to recover financially.
