The Bengaluru bus fare hike will raise the minimum ticket price on BMTC services from Rs 6 to Rs 10, with revised fares coming into force from Wednesday midnight, Karnataka Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh announced. The increase is part of a wider revision covering all four state-run transport corporations in the state.
On BMTC city buses, the maximum fare will rise from Rs 35 to Rs 45. The maximum fare on AC Vajra services will increase from Rs 75 to Rs 90, while the highest fare on Vayu Vajra airport buses to Kempegowda International Airport will go up from Rs 405 to Rs 425.
The revision will also affect services operated by the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation and the state’s other transport undertakings. According to the minister, the maximum increase in KSRTC fares will be Rs 9, while the maximum increase for BMTC services will be Rs 10.
Suresh attributed the decision to higher diesel prices and said Karnataka had followed fare increases announced by Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. “Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra governments too have increased bus fares, so we are also hiking bus fare,” he told reporters.
The announcement places the fare revision within the financial pressures facing publicly operated bus systems, which must continue daily services while managing fuel and operating costs. However, the immediate effect for Bengaluru passengers will vary by route, service type and travel purpose. Regular users of ordinary BMTC buses will see the minimum fare rise by Rs 4, while passengers using premium and airport services will pay higher maximum fares.
The fare increase comes as the state continues to provide free travel for women on non-luxury government buses under the Shakti scheme. The programme allows eligible women to travel anywhere in Karnataka on participating services, while the revised fares apply to services and passenger categories outside the scheme’s coverage.
Suresh said the KSRTC fare increase had been capped at Rs 9. He also said fares for luxury services, including Rajahamsa and AC buses, were fixed with competitive market prices in consideration. The government has not provided, in the announcement, a route-wise schedule showing how the revised fares will apply across individual BMTC stages and services.
For Bengaluru, the fare change will affect the city’s extensive bus network as well as passengers travelling to the airport. BMTC’s ordinary services remain a major part of daily urban mobility, while Vajra and Vayu Vajra buses serve commuters seeking air-conditioned travel and direct airport connectivity. The revised rates are scheduled to take effect from Wednesday midnight, following the transport department’s announcement.
