The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) in India has formally applied a revision to luggage charges, a factor that necessitates commuters in Karnataka to spend more on their belongings. This comes after general bus fare hikes in January 2025, aligning luggage cost with operational costs.
Why the Sudden Hike?
Revising luggage fees usually dovetails with ticket fare hikes for passengers, according to an official statement issued by the corporation. Although the state government upped bus fares by 15% to meet rising diesel costs and increased staff wages in January 2025, the luggage tariff had not changed since December 2021. “This is standard administrative procedure,” said a KSRTC spokesman. “With every fare revision we revisit the baggage cost. Because they weren’t updated last year, the adjustment is now being implemented to narrow that gap."
The New Tariff Structure
The KSRTC has kept 30 kg no-cost allowance for adult passengers. But any excess weight will now be charged based on distance travelled. For KSRTC, a "stage" is equal to about six km.
- Free Limit: Up to 30 kg (not reduced)
- Extra charges: ₹6 to ₹145 per unit based on the number of stages.
- Percentage Increase: Around 15% increase on earlier 2021 rates
| Distance (Stages) | Revised Luggage Fee (per unit) |
| 1 – 5 Stages | ₹6 |
| 6 – 10 Stages | ₹12 |
| 11 – 15 Stages | ₹20 |
| 16 – 20 Stages | ₹25 |
| 156 – 160 Stages | ₹145 (Maximum) |
Appliances and Pets: What Do You Carry?
Passengers can carry various items depending on the availability of space in the bus:
- Electric Appliances: Washing machines, refrigerators.
- Industrial/Household Item: Truck tires, aluminum or iron pipes, large kitchen utensils.
- Animals: Pets, such as cats, rabbits and birds are permitted. Dogs may also be accommodated, although they must be leashed and taken care of properly.
- The charge for pets is different: For pets, a dog is normally billed the equivalent of one full adult fare; smaller animals, like cats or birds, are charged at a child's fare rate.
The Impact on Commuters
Though the 30 kg rule applies to most daily travelers and short-distance travelers, it could affect families moving elsewhere or individuals travelling with KSRTC buses to transport small-scale commercial items. The move, the corporation is defending, was necessitated to maintain services as it spends ₹417 crore a month on operational costs and schemes. This morning, new rates have been made available on the Electronic Ticketing Machines (ETMs) of all the divisions, including NWKRTC and KKRTC.
