Karnataka Govt Proposes Fare Regulatory Committee for Public Transport

27 Sep 2025 CW Team

The Karnataka government has released draft rules to amend the Karnataka Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, for setting up a Public Transport Fare Regulatory Committee to streamline fare revisions for State-run transport corporations, similar to the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC).

The draft notification, issued on September 9, proposes a committee headed by a retired Additional Chief Secretary or retired High Court judge, with two members — one a retired Principal Secretary or Secretary with a legal background, and the other an industry or financial expert. The Managing Director of KSRTC will act as the member-secretary.

The committee will review the financial health of corporations like KSRTC, BMTC, NWKRTC and NEKRTC, and recommend fare revisions, surcharges, and efficiency measures. Proposals submitted by the corporations will be examined by the committee before adoption by their boards.

Members will serve a maximum of three years without re-nomination, receiving remuneration equivalent to their last drawn salary (inclusive of pension) and travel allowances per government norms. The body will meet at least once every quarter and submit annual reports to the State government, which will be tabled before both Houses of the Legislature.

Public objections and suggestions on the draft rules have been invited within 30 days of their publication in the Official Gazette. Submissions can be made to the Secretary to Government, Transport Department, Room No. 123, Ground Floor, M.S. Building, 3rd Gate, Bengaluru – 560 001.

Currently, fare revision proposals by Karnataka’s four transport corporations are routed individually to the government, involving lengthy scrutiny and approvals. The new mechanism is expected to reduce delays and ease the burden on corporations by providing a centralised, transparent decision-making system.

News source: The Hindu

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