Commuters and intercity travellers from/to Belagavi are set to feel the pinch as bus fares across state-run transport corporations rose sharply starting Wednesday midnight. A journey between Belagavi and Bengaluru will now cost ₹742, marking a steep ₹139 jump from the existing fare of ₹603.
The revision comes after Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh announced an average fare hike of 23% across four state road transport undertakings during a press conference in Bengaluru on Wednesday. The hike directly impacts the North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC), which serves Belagavi and neighbouring North Karnataka districts.
Local commuters, students, and regular business passengers travelling on the Belagavi–Bengaluru corridor will face immediate financial pressure, as the NWKRTC implements the revised structure across both standard and express fleets.
Key Route Fare Revisions at a Glance
| Route | Old Fare (₹) | Revised Fare (₹) | Absolute Increase (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bengaluru – Belagavi | 603 | 742 | +139 |
| Bengaluru – Hubballi | 490 | 613 | +123 |
| Bengaluru – Kalaburagi | 723 | 928 | +205 |
Statewide Revisions: Hubballi, Kalaburagi, and Bengaluru City Impacted
Beyond Belagavi, passengers traversing major North and Kalyana Karnataka corridors face steep adjustments:
- Hubballi: Travel between Bengaluru and the twin cities hub of Hubballi will now cost ₹613, up from the current ₹490.
- Kalaburagi: The long-distance route between Bengaluru and Kalaburagi recorded the highest jump, reaching a staggering ₹928 compared to the previous ₹723.
- KSRTC & KKRTC: The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and the Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KKRTC) have also adjusted their passenger tariffs upward by an average of 23%.
- BMTC (Bengaluru City): Commuters within the state capital will face the steepest overall percentage rise, with Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) ticket prices rising by an average of 35%.
Second Increase in Two Years
This revision marks the second bus fare hike since January 2025, when a flat 15% increase was applied across all state transport corporations.
Transport corporations justified the latest revision by citing mounting operating deficits, driven primarily by fuel costs and operational overheads. Diesel prices have been raised five times over the past nine months alone, compounded by higher employee pay structures following staff salary increments. Corporation officials noted that the adjustments were necessary to sustain regular fleet operations and maintain service viability across Karnataka.
