Now Reading: Karnataka to buy 15,000 new buses, 10 lakh students get free passes
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Karnataka to buy 15,000 new buses, 10 lakh students get free passes
The Story in Brief
Karnataka has started the process to procure 15,000 new buses through its four state-owned transport corporations, Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh announced on Saturday. The buses will be bought in phases based on fund availability, with a focus on improving connectivity in transport-deprived rural areas.
Suresh also said nearly 10 lakh students have received free bus passes under the government's student bus pass scheme at a cost of Rs 286 crore. He made the announcements after hoisting the national flag at the 80th Independence Day celebrations in Chickballapur.
The Indian Opinion
The bus purchase plan is welcome, but fund availability remains the hinge. Karnataka's transport corporations already run losses, and adding 15,000 buses without a clear revenue model could worsen their finances. The 10 lakh free passes costing Rs 286 crore sound generous, but the real test is whether these buses actually reach rural routes that need them most, or remain confined to cities. Watch the first tranche size and the accompanying fare revision.
Source: thehindu.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Methodology and corrections.
