No Bus Fare Hike in 2026: Big Relief for BMTC and KSRTC Passengers in Karnataka

In a major relief for lakhs of commuters, the Karnataka government has confirmed that there will be no fare hike for buses.

This is mainly implemented for buses operated by the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) and the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) in 2026.

Under the Shakti Yojana, women passengers are allowed to travel free on government buses across Karnataka.

The announcement comes amid widespread concerns following the 15% fare revision implemented in January 2025, which had sparked dissatisfaction among daily passengers.

Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy clarified that ticket prices will remain unchanged for now, and any decision on fare revision will be taken only after a committee is formed and its report is submitted.

Committee Yet to Be Formed

The state government had earlier planned to review bus fares annually.

The proposal involved forming a committee that would recommend whether fares should be increased or reduced based on operational costs and financial performance.

However, the committee has not yet been constituted this year.

“There will be no fare hike for now. Any decision will be taken only after the committee is formed and its report is submitted,” Minister Reddy stated.

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Big Relief for Male Commuters

With women already benefiting from free travel under the Shakti scheme, male passengers were particularly concerned about another potential fare hike this year.

The minister’s clarification has brought significant financial relief to:

• Working professionals
• Students
• Middle-class families
• Daily wage earners

What This Means for 2026

• No fare hike for BMTC and KSRTC buses this year
• No immediate revision from January to mid-2026
• Committee to be formed in the coming months
• Next potential fare revision likely in 2027

For now, bus passengers across Karnataka can travel without worrying about increased ticket prices, making 2026 a year of stability for public transport users.