Bengaluru: Close on the heels of revision in bus and Metro fares, authorities are now set to increase autorickshaw fares in the coming days, with unions seeking 33% upward revision in minimum-distance price from Rs 30 to Rs 40 for the first 2km and from Rs 15 to Rs 20 for every subsequent kilometre thereafter.
On Jan 6 this year, BMTC increased fares by 15%. On Feb 9, BMRCL hiked Metro fares by 47%. Following public outrage over Namma Metro effecting more than 100% hike on certain stages, BMRCL rejigged the matrix and capped the maximum fare hike at 70%.
A sub-committee headed by DCP East (Traffic) Sahil Bagla heard the grievances of auto drivers’ unions in Bengaluru Wednesday. “We’ve given them one week to make a formal, written submission of their demands. Afterwards, the committee will submit a recommendation to the Bengaluru Urban deputy commissioner for further decision,” he added.
Bengaluru has 1.7 lakh autorickshaws in the city, and the previous fare revision was in 2021. Sources said some 20,000 autos are likely to hit the road by year-end. Besides, estimated 30,000 autos are operating without permits.
Autorickshaw Drivers’ Union (CITU) president CN Sreenivas said most unions have demanded a fare hike citing inflation rate, increasing cost of living, fuel and maintenance costs.
MR Ramakrishna, general secretary of Jai Karnataka Auto Drivers Unit of Bengaluru, said, “Since the previous revision, there has been a steep rise in school fees, house rentals and other daily expenses. We have apprised the authorities of these issues. In the next seven days, we’ll submit our written appeal to the secretary for consideration. Hiking the fare will help thousands of drivers in the city.”
Though the previous fare revision was more than three years ago, a majority of the three-wheelers still run with old meters. An auto driver said, “Most drivers have attached their vehicles with aggregators, making digital meters of no use. It is said only about 50,000 autos may have recalibrated their digital meters as per the rules of legal metrology. Interestingly, when autos are produced before RTO for renewal of fitness certificate, officials do not bother to check digital meters and issue the certificate.”
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