Karnataka raises BMTC fares across board despite electric bus fleet

The Karnataka government has lifted fares on all Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) services, sparking criticism because the increase is linked to higher diesel prices even though many buses now run on electricity.

What Happened

The state announced a uniform fare revision, citing a rise of about ₹10.47 per litre in diesel costs since May. The hike applies to every route, including those served by electric buses that do not use diesel at all.

Reaction

Commuters pointed out the inconsistency. Jagan Desai, a rider from Vijayanagar, said the move undermines years of encouragement for electric transport aimed at cutting Bangalore's air pollution and traffic jams. He noted that the chief minister and transport minister had both attributed the change to diesel price spikes, yet electric buses are being charged the same higher rates. Another passenger, Srinivas Babu of Sanjaynagar, asked why the corporation does not set a lower fare for electric vehicles, arguing that the goal of cleaner transport should bring a benefit to users. BMTC officials responded that fares are set uniformly because the corporation runs as a single financial system. They explained that expenses include staff salaries, maintenance, infrastructure and other liabilities beyond fuel, and that any savings from electric buses are pooled to cover overall costs. According to BMTC data, 1,779 buses operate under the Gross Cost Contract model, making up roughly 25.7% of its total fleet of 6,907 vehicles, which includes diesel, BS‑VI and electric units.

Context

The fare change highlights the challenge of integrating new electric buses into existing public‑transport pricing while keeping overall costs balanced for the whole system.