Bengaluru: In what is probably yet another shock to the people of  Karnataka coming after fuel and milk price hike, the State Government-owned KSRTC has hinted at a fare hike.

Speaking to presspersons at Gubbi in Tumakuru district, KSRTC Chairman S.R. Srinivas said that the bus fare hike has become inevitable in the backdrop of rising fuel prices and operational costs.

Pointing out that the KSRTC has been suffering losses due to staff wage hike, rising prices of spare parts and other factors, he said that a fare hike was needed to offset losses.

 NWKRTC Chairman Raju Kage too came out in support of Srinivas saying that the fare hike is inevitable in the wake of mounting losses.

Noting that the ‘Shakti’ scheme, which allows free travel for women in State Transport buses was introduced a year ago, he said that NWKRTC is running under loss.

Meanwhile, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy is said to have expressed his displeasure over the remarks of Srinivas and Raju Kage over bus fare hike. Refusing to comment on the possibility of bus fare hike, he said that Srinivas himself has to clarify on fare hike.