Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Oct 12: Karnataka’s state-run transport corporations are facing another operational challenge amid mounting financial pressures. Days after a diesel shortage disrupted bus services over unpaid dues to oil companies, a fresh shortage of paper rolls used for printing bus tickets has reportedly forced conductors to issue a single ticket to three or four passengers travelling together.

The unusual practice, introduced to conserve dwindling ticket paper supplies, has triggered discussion among commuters and the public. The latest shortage has added to concerns over the financial difficulties confronting the transport corporations following the implementation of the state government’s Shakti scheme.

The state government’s ambitious Shakti scheme, which provides free bus travel to eligible women within Karnataka, has led to a significant rise in the number of women passengers using public transport. However, delays in the reimbursement of subsidies and other payments due from the government have reportedly placed additional pressure on the finances of the transport corporations.

Only a few days ago, a diesel shortage affected bus operations after the transport department reportedly failed to clear outstanding bills of more than Rs 170 crore payable to oil companies. The disruption resulted in the cancellation of several bus trips.

Now, the shortage of ticket-printing paper has emerged as another concern. Suppliers of the paper rolls used in electronic ticketing machines (ETMs) are reportedly facing delays in receiving outstanding payments, leading to a sharp decline in the supply of fresh rolls.

With ticket rolls running out, conductors are reportedly being compelled to issue a single printed ticket covering three or four passengers travelling to the same destination or members of the same family travelling together.

The problem is particularly pronounced on buses operated by the Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KKRTC), including services on the Bidar–Kalaburagi route and several other routes.

As supplies dwindle, conductors are reportedly grouping three or four passengers together and printing just one ticket for the entire group in an effort to conserve paper. In some places, they have also been borrowing ticket rolls from fellow conductors to manage the shortage and keep services running.

The development has placed additional pressure on frontline transport staff, who are attempting to maintain routine operations with limited supplies amid the corporations’ continuing financial difficulties.

The latest shortage follows the recent diesel crisis, bringing renewed attention to the operational challenges facing Karnataka’s transport corporations as they manage rising passenger numbers and financial obligations.