Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has implemented a broad revision of its luggage fees effective Monday, Feb. 16, marking the first such adjustment in over four years.
In a circular released this week, the state-run utility cited a sharp rise in operational overheads, including fuel prices and personnel salaries, as the primary drivers for the hike. "In view of the increase in diesel, staff, and other expenses, the rates for luggage carried in the corporation's buses have been revised," the KSRTC stated. "The revised rates will come into effect from 16-02-2026."
While transport officials typically sync luggage fee revisions with passenger fare hikes, the corporation notably refrained from doing so during the last ticket price increase in January 2025. Sunday's announcement serves as a corrective measure to bridge that gap.
New Fare Structure
The updated pricing reflects an approximate 15% increase, mirroring the scale of last year's passenger fare hike. Under the new guidelines, travellers retain a free luggage allowance of up to 30 kg, with fees applied only to excess weight.
The charges are calculated based on "stages", the traditional metric used by the corporation to measure distance. The new rates include:
- Stages 1-5: Rs 6
- Stages 6-10: Rs 12
- Stages 11-15: Rs 20
- Stages 16-20: Rs 25
The tiered pricing continues to scale with distance, topping out at Rs 145 for journeys spanning 156 to 160 stages.
Operational Impact
Officials noted that the last revision to the luggage fee schedule occurred in December 2021. The current adjustment is expected to bolster the corporation's revenue as it navigates the ongoing volatility in energy markets.
In addition to personal bags, the KSRTC continues to permit the transport of various household items and small livestock, such as washing machines and domestic pets, provided there is sufficient cargo space, and the revised fees are paid.
With inputs from PTI