Auto fare hike likely as 90% unions agree on revision terms  

Autorickshaw fares in the city may increase soon, with unions agreeing to raise minimum fare to ₹40 per km.

After bus and metro fare hike, autorickshaw fares in the city might also be increased in the coming days. Around 90% of auto rickshaw driver unions have now agreed to revise the minimum fare to ₹40 and ₹20 per every subsequent kilometer. 

Currently, after a fare revision in 2021, the minimum fare is fixed at ₹30 and ₹15 for every additional kilometre. Autorickshaw drivers have been demanding a fare revision since last year due to the increasing prices of commodities, fuel and inflation.

On Wednesday, Sahil Bagla, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Traffic, East division, who heads the committee which was formed to submit a report on fare revision, held a meeting with the unions.

“Most of us have agreed to these revisions as it is necessary keeping in mind the inflation. There is one union that is not okay with these rates, but these fares will likely get implemented as 90% of us are on board,” said C. Sampath, General Secretary, Adarsha Auto Union.

The DCP, however, said that it will take some time for a decision to be made regarding the fare hike. “We will be submitting our report to the authorities concerned in the Transport Department, and they will take a call accordingly,” Mr. Bagla told The Hindu.

The District Transport Authority will review and take the final call about the revisions.

Mr. Sampath said that the traffic police and transport officials should also conduct a drive to educate auto rickshaw drivers about service and how they should not demand excess while revising the fares. “They should conduct a drive for at least a year and create awareness about renewal of licenses, permits, consequences of demanding excess fare for systematic change and correction,” he said.