Sivakumar K.B. takes charge as managing director of KSRTC in Karnataka

IAS officer Sivakumar K.B. assumed charge as the Managing Director of the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) on June 20 at the corporation’s headquarters in Shanthinagar in Bengaluru.

Mr. Sivakumar takes over from Selvamani R., Commissioner for Transport and Road Safety, who had been holding additional charge as Managing Director of KSRTC.

Prior to his new appointment, Mr. Sivakumar was serving as the Managing Director of Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), a position he had held since October 2025. His transfer comes as part of an administrative reshuffle following the recent appointment of Byrathi Suresh as Transport Minister of Karnataka, replacing Ramalinga Reddy.

The new KSRTC chief assumes office at a crucial juncture for the State-run transport corporation. One of the key responsibilities before him will be implementation of the free bus pass scheme for students announced by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.

In addition, Sivakumar will be tasked with steering the corporation through ongoing financial challenges. KSRTC, along with other State transport undertakings, has been facing mounting financial pressure in recent years. While the Shakti Scheme, which provides free bus travel for women, has significantly increased passenger numbers, transport corporations continue to await the full reimbursement of operational costs from the State Government.