Udupi, June 8 -- Passengers travelling in private stage carriage buses across Karnataka will have to pay higher fares from June 9, with operators announcing a fare revision of five to eight per cent. The decision was announced by State Federation of Private Stage Carriage Bus Owners' Associations president Kuyiladi Suresh Nayak.

Fuel prices witnessed a steady rise over the past year. The government had earlier increased diesel tax by Rs 3 per litre, while the Centre raised fuel prices in four phases, resulting in an overall increase of Rs 8.17 per litre. These hikes have significantly impacted operational expenses for bus operators.

Addressing a press conference in Udupi, Nayak said the bus industry is facing severe financial pressure d...