Auto-rickshaw fares in Bengaluru may soon rise following increases in metro and bus fares. Drivers’ unions have proposed raising the base fare to ₹40 for the first two kilometers and ₹20 per kilometer thereafter. The District Transport Authority (DTA) has formed a committee to evaluate the proposal, considering rising fuel costs, inflation, and economic feasibility.
Transport Authoritys Role in Decision-Making
A recent meeting led by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic-East) Sahil Bagla included discussions with over 15 auto unions. The DTA, under Urban Deputy Commissioner Jagadeesha G, is reviewing inputs before finalizing recommendations. While some unions support the fare hike, others prefer to maintain current rates. A final decision will be taken in an upcoming Regional Transport Authority (RTA) meeting.
Rising Costs and Inflation Concerns
Auto unions argue that fare revisions are overdue, with the last increase in November 2021 setting a ₹30 base fare for 1.9 km and ₹15 per km afterward. Rising CNG prices, permit fees, and maintenance costs have made operations expensive.
Concerns Over App-Based Aggregators
Unions highlight discrepancies in Ola and Uber fares, which fluctuate between ₹18 and ₹60, undermining the regulated metered system. They urge strict enforcement of fare regulations for ride-hailing apps.
Passenger Overcharging and Solutions
Some drivers charge excessive fares near metro stations. To address this, unions propose displaying a toll-free complaint number in every auto to report overcharging or ride refusals.
Impact of Metro and Bus Fare Hikes
The fare hike proposal comes after Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) raised ticket prices by up to 100%, reducing daily ridership by 2.3 lakh commuters. The Karnataka government also increased bus fares by 15% due to rising operational costs.
Summary
Bengalurus auto unions are pushing for a fare hike to ₹40 base fare and ₹20 per km, citing rising costs. The District Transport Authority is reviewing the proposal, considering inflation and passenger impact. Auto drivers also demand regulation of app-based aggregators and stricter enforcement against overcharging. The decision will be made in an upcoming RTA meeting.
