The Deputy Commissioner, who is also the Chairman of Regional Transport Authority, revised the autorickshaw fares in Shivamogga city limits.
From now on, commuters will have to pay Rs. 25 for travelling up to 1.7 km. and Rs. 12 for every additional km. They should also pay Rs. 2.5 as waiting charge for five to 15 minutes.There will be no luggage charges for material weighing up to 20 kg. For luggage exceeding 20 kg, commuters will have to pay Rs. 2 extra. The new fares will come into force with immediate effect.
It may be mentioned here that installation of digital fare meters had been made mandatory for autorickshaws plying within the city limits from August 20.
The authority had fixed Rs. 20 as minimum fare for up to 1.5 km. and Rs. 10 for every additional km. Between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., the commuters had to pay one-and-a-half times the fare. The autorickshaw drivers had staged a protest demanding hike in fare. They alleged that the fare fixed by the authority was unscientific.
Responding to the demand, the authority revised the fares.
Meanwhile, the autorickshaw drivers have welcomed the fare revision.
Palappa, a driver, told The Hindu that vehicles could be operated in a viable manner with the new fare and it was affordable to commuters as well.
