Citizens who depend on autos must get ready to fork out more for your commute. Starting December 20, the minimum fare will go up from Rs. 20 (for the first 1.8 km) to Rs. 25 (1.9 km).
Each subsequent kilometre will cost Rs. 13, up from Rs. 11, Deputy Commissioner of Bangalore (Urban) G.C. Prakash announced on Tuesday.
Mr. Prakash, who is also chairman of the state Road Transport Authority (RTA), had a series of meetings with autorickshaw drivers’ unions. The unions had demanded a hike of Rs. 10 in the minimum fare citing an increase in fuel costs.
The last time auto fares were increased was in March 2012.
Other charges were also announced. There is no waiting charge for the first five minutes.
For every 15 minutes thereafter, the fee is Rs. 5, officials in the Deputy Commissioner’s office said.
Between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., autorickshaw drivers will be allowed to charge one-and-a-half times the meter rate.
Free baggage limitPassengers are allowed to carry 20 kg of luggage free of cost. Those carrying between 20 kg and 40 kg must be prepared to pay Rs. 2 extra on the meter reading. If the luggage weighs between 40 kg and 50 kg, customer has to pay Rs. 3 extra over the meter reading.
Auto unions have welcomed the hike.
Rudramurthy, general secretary of the CITU Autorickshaw Drivers’ Union said that the decision was taken after presenting several memoranda, protests and meetings with officials. “With the increase in prices of all commodities and fuel costs, it is difficult for us to sustain our livelihood with such meagre fares,” he added.
He urged the government to also look into the union’s other demands, such as providing BPL cards, Employee State Insurance and other social security benefits besides housing for auto drivers. “We also want the police to remove false cases of violations against auto drivers,” he said.
