Taxis and autos, which went off the roads demanding fare hike, today returned to the streets in most parts of the city after the Maharashtra government assured them that an increase in the rates is in the offing.
About 80,000 auto and taxi drivers had gone on a day strike yesterday demanding fare hike following which the state government decided in-principal to hike the auto fare by Rs. 2 and sent the proposal to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Transport Authority (MMRTA).
“The MMRTA is expected to announce a formal decision in the backdrop of CNG price rise. We have proposed basic fare increase from Rs. 9 to Rs. 11 and Rs. 5 to Rs. 6.5 for every subsequent kilometre,” State Minister for Transport Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil had said on Tuesday.
Responding to Mr. Vikhe-Patil’s appeal to end the strike, the autos and taxis were back on the roads today.
“We are not on strike. Our taxis in western suburbs and at the airport are plying,” Mumbai Auto Rickshaw-Taximen Union’s chief Sharad Rao said.
Auto unions in Mumbai have demanded that the minimum fare be increased from the current Rs. 9 to Rs. 15 and Rs. 8 for every subsequent kilometre.
The government is yet to take any decision on increase in fare of city taxis. The minister said MMRTA would hold a meeting this week to resolve the issue.
Taxi unions are demanding fare hike from Rs. 14 to 16 and Rs. 10 for every subsequent kilometre.
