In a significant move to modernize its public transportation system, the Karnataka government has unveiled a draft amendment to the Karnataka Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. This amendment seeks to establish a dedicated Public Transport Fare Regulatory Committee, designed to streamline the process of revising fares for the state’s various transport corporations. The proposed committee mirrors the structure and function of the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC), which oversees power tariffs.
These eagerly awaited draft rules were officially notified on September 9th and are set to be implemented following their final approval, as confirmed by a statement from the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC).
According to the preliminary draft, the committee will be led by a distinguished chairperson, who will either be a retired Additional Chief Secretary or a retired High Court judge. Supporting the chairperson will be two key members: one, a retired Principal Secretary or Secretary with extensive legal expertise, and the other, an accomplished industry or financial expert. The Managing Director of KSRTC will play a crucial role, serving as the member-secretary to the committee.
The primary mandate of this committee will be to conduct in-depth analyses of the financial health of the state’s transport giants, including KSRTC and the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC). Based on these assessments, the committee will then recommend appropriate fare revisions and surcharges. Beyond just fares, the body will also be tasked with proposing strategic measures to enhance operational efficiency and ensure the long-term financial stability of these corporations, as detailed in the draft notification. Any proposals for fare adjustments or additional charges submitted by the corporations will first undergo a thorough review by this committee before being considered for adoption by their respective boards.
The notification further stipulates that committee members will serve a single term of up to three years, without the possibility of re-nomination. Their compensation will be equivalent to their last drawn salary, inclusive of pension benefits, with travel allowances adhering to existing government policies. To maintain consistent oversight, the committee is required to convene at least once every three months, with a minimum attendance of two members to achieve a quorum.
Moreover, the committee is obligated to submit an annual report detailing its recommendations to the State government. This report will subsequently be presented before both Houses of the Legislature, ensuring transparency and accountability.
The State government has extended an invitation to the public, encouraging them to submit any objections or suggestions regarding these draft rules within 30 days of their official publication in the Official Gazette. Interested individuals and organizations can direct their feedback to the Secretary to Government, Transport Department, Room No. 123, Ground Floor, M.S. Building, 3rd Gate, Bengaluru – 560 001.
Currently, Karnataka’s four major road transport corporations – KSRTC, BMTC, North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC), and North Eastern Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NEKRTC) – face a convoluted process. Each time a fare revision is required, they must individually submit proposals to the State government. These proposals, typically finalized after board meetings, navigate multiple layers of scrutiny and approval, often resulting in a prolonged and complex procedure.
“To effectively address these inefficiencies, the Transport Department has put forth the idea of establishing a commission that operates similarly to the KERC, which is responsible for regulating power tariffs across the state. This new entity would possess the authority to make decisions on fare revisions and other related matters, thereby alleviating the administrative burden on individual corporations and fostering a more streamlined and responsive mechanism for public transport fare management,” explained a government official.