KSRTC Buses Face Ticket Paper Shortage After Diesel Crisis, One Ticket Issued for Multiple Passengers
Delayed payments to suppliers have reportedly reduced the supply of electronic ticket rolls, adding to financial pressure on Karnataka’s state transport corporations.
Bengaluru: Karnataka’s state run transport corporations are facing another operational challenge as a 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 shortage comes just days after a diesel supply crisis disrupted bus services because of outstanding payments to oil companies. The latest development has raised fresh concerns about the financial difficulties facing the transport corporations.
According to media reports, suppliers have reduced the supply of paper rolls used in electronic ticketing machines (ETMs) because of pending payments. Conductors are reportedly trying to conserve the remaining stock by issuing one printed ticket to groups of passengers travelling to the same destination.
The problem has been particularly noticeable on services operated by the Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KKRTC), including buses running on the Bidar to Kalaburagi route. In some cases, conductors have reportedly borrowed paper rolls from colleagues to continue issuing tickets.
The shortage follows recent disruption to bus operations caused by unpaid fuel bills. Reports said outstanding dues to oil companies had exceeded Rs 170 crore, prompting concerns over the availability of diesel for regular services.
The state’s Shakti scheme, which provides free bus travel to eligible women within Karnataka, has also been cited in reports discussing the transport corporations’ financial pressures. Delays in government reimbursements and payments to suppliers have reportedly added to their difficulties amid increased passenger demand.
The latest shortage has placed additional pressure on conductors, who must maintain routine ticketing operations with limited supplies. However, the reported practice of issuing one ticket to several passengers has not been confirmed through an official statement from the transport corporations.