BJP workers protest in Bengaluru against 15 per cent hike in KSRTC bus fares
The 15% fee increase for the Karnataka State Road Transportation Corporation (KSRTC) buses sparked demonstrations by BJP workers in Bengaluru on Friday.
R Ashoka, the leader of the opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, attacked the Congress administration for the rise, claiming that Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramiah had no money and that this was the reason he took this action.
In an interview with the media, Ashoka stated: “The fare prices have increased by 15%. This should not be done. Siddaramiah is the worst chief minister in Karnataka history, and the reason for this is because he has no money. KSRTC made money while I was the Transport Minister, but since Siddaramiah took over, the company has lost money. After apologizing to everyone for the trek, Siddaramiah will go on to lead further hikes.
Women’s bus travel is now free, while men’s bus fare is doubled. According to Ramalinga Reddy, the increase is due to rising prices for gasoline and diesel. The price of gasoline increases every two years. The cost of gasoline and fuel increased under our administration as well, yet bus rates remained unchanged. There is no money in Siddaramaiah’s pocket. Himachal Pradesh will shortly replace Karnataka. The worst chief minister in Karnataka’s history is Siddaramaiah. How will consumers pay for this 15% hike? “KSRTC buses are more expensive than private taxis,” he said.
In the meanwhile, Karnataka Minister Ramalinga Reddy questioned the BJP on why, under Yediyurappa’s tenure as chief minister, the BJP had raised bus fares by 12%.
“BJP is protesting in the leadership of Ashoka and other leaders… there was a hike of 12 percent when Yediyurappa was the chief minister,” Reddy told ANI.When the BJP was in power, why did they raise prices? They left us with a liabilities of Rs 5,900 crore when I was appointed Transport Minister. We can lower the rise if they persuade the prime minister to lower the price of fuel.
The move to raise bus prices by the Karnataka government headed by Siddaramaiah was criticized earlier today by BJP national spokesman Shehzad Poonawalla, who referred to it as the Congress party’s “khata khata loot model.”
“This is the Congress party’s Khata Khat Loot model. Loot, mahangaee (inflation), and barbadi (economic ruin) accompany Congress wherever it goes. Following price increases for milk, gasoline, petroleum, water, and other necessities, the bus cost has also gone up in Karnataka today. “Free bus rides were promised,” Poonawalla informed the media.
On Thursday, Karnataka Minister HK Patil said that a 15% rise in KSRTC bus ticket pricing had been agreed by the state cabinet.
The ticket price hike will take effect on January 5, 2025.
“The company’s existing deficit is the reason for this 15 percent increase. This rise would result in a monthly return of Rs 74.84 crores, according to Patil.
