The Dakshina Kannada Regional Transport Authority (RTA) on Friday decided to revert to the December 2012 fare structure for autorickshaws in the district following a substantial reduction in petrol and LPG prices. It has become the first RTA in the State to reduce autorickshaw fares after the fuel prices went down.
RTA Chairman and Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim said the fares had been reduced to a minimum of Rs. 20 and Rs. 13 per km thereafter, from Rs. 25 and Rs. 14 respectively. These fares would be effective from Monday.
Mr. Ibrahim said petrol had become cheaper by 15.56 per cent, and LPG by 39.98 per cent. Autorickshaw unions argued that despite fuel prices coming down, the cost of living and cost of inputs for running vehicles continued to be high. They said that while the RTA had taken more than six months to increase the fares in 2013-14, it was in a hurry to bring down the fares. They said they had to pay around Rs. 500 for recalibration of meters whenever there was a fare revision. Mr. Ibrahim said the Regional Transport Officer would conduct special camps and rickshaw drivers need to pay only Rs. 100 towards government fee. Drivers said the Rs. 400-500 included bribe to the personnel of Department of Legal Metrology, which has to approve the recalibrated meters. Officials of the department present at the meeting maintained a stoic silence over the allegation.
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