KTR Sparks Protest Over Bus Fare Hike

In Telangana, a sharp increase in RTC bus fares has triggered widespread protests led by BRS working president KT Rama Rao. The hike, ranging from ₹5 to ₹10 across various services, has drawn criticism for burdening daily commuters.
On October 9, BRS leaders launched the ‘Chalo Bus Bhavan’ protest. Their plan was simple: travel by RTC buses to the corporation’s headquarters and submit a formal demand for fare rollback.
KTR, Harish Rao, and other senior leaders were placed under house arrest early in the morning. Police deployment outside their residences prevented them from boarding buses as planned.
“All I wanted was to board a bus and hand over a letter. Instead, hundreds of police officers were sent to stop me,” KTR said. He questioned the government’s priorities, urging focus on crime control rather than suppressing peaceful protests.
Harish Rao criticized the Congress-led government for violating the Right to Protest. He cited Articles 19 and 21, stating that house arrests without due process undermine democratic values.

Despite detentions, BRS leaders including Sabitha Indra Reddy and Talasani Srinivas Yadav reached Bus Bhavan. They submitted a memorandum to the RTC Managing Director demanding immediate fare rollback.

Commuters expressed frustration over the fare hike. For many, public transport is the only affordable option. The increase adds nearly ₹500 per month to travel expenses for regular passengers.
The Telangana government defended the hike, citing investments in electric buses and charging infrastructure. Officials claimed the fare revision was necessary to sustain the free travel scheme for women.

KTR alleged that while women travel free, men are forced to pay double. He warned that the fare hike could lead to privatization of RTC services, affecting affordability and access.

Videos of police deployment and leader detentions went viral. Hashtags like #ChaloBusBhavan and #RTCPriceHike trended across platforms, amplifying public support for the protest.

Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar criticized BRS for politicizing the issue. He highlighted the government’s commitment to modernizing public transport and claimed the fare hike was minimal.

Experts suggest a joint review involving commuters, transport officials, and political representatives. Transparent communication and phased implementation could ease tensions.

The RTC fare hike has become more than a pricing issue—it’s now a flashpoint for public accountability and governance. As protests continue, the need for inclusive decision-making grows stronger.