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

IAS officer Sivakumar KB took over as General Manager of the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) on June 20 at the company’s headquarters at Shanthinagar in Bengaluru.

Mr. Sivakumar took over from Transport and Road Safety Commissioner Selvamani R., who took on the additional charge of Managing Director of KSRTC.

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

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

Additionally, Sivakumar will be tasked with steering the company through ongoing financial challenges. KSRTC, along with other State transport undertakings, has been facing increasing financial pressure in recent years. While the Shakti Scheme, which provides free bus travel to women, has increased ridership significantly, transport companies continue to expect full reimbursement of their operating costs from the State Government.