Auto union in Mumbai seeks Rs 2 fare hike, consumer activists resist move | Mumbai News – Times of India

MUMBAI: This could be bad news for commuters as Mumbai Rickshawmen’s Union has petitioned the government to demand a fare hike of Rs 2 in base fare of autorickshaws in suburbs. The present base fare of autos in the city is Rs 23, and they want it to be hiked to Rs 25.
“This is based on the increasing consumer price index which is one of the major factors to decide a hike in auto fares – as per the government formula,” said union leader Thampy Kurien, who justified the hike in the interest of four lakh drivers in the city. He further said that there were a few other factors, including capital cost of vehicle, maintenance and repair costs, insurance and taxes, which had esclated lately, and these too are instrumental to some extent in the new fare hike calculations. He has submitted the calculations as per the formula to transport officials, and is expecting a reply.
A senior transport official said that no decision has been taken in this regard so far. “Any such fare hike proposal comes before the MMRTA (Mumbai Metropolitan Region Transport Authority) which takes a final call,” he said. The MMRTA had in October 2022 given a hike of Rs 2 for autos and Rs 3 for taxis – taking the minimum fares from Rs 21 to Rs 23 for autos and Rs 25 to Rs 28 for Kaali Peeli taxis of Mumbai.
Consumer rights activists and commuters are strictly against any fare hike. They said that the cost of CNG had dropped on three occasions this year, and there was no need for another fare hike. On October 2, the price dropped by Rs 3 per kg, and prior to that in April, it dipped by Rs 8/kg and earlier in February the price had reduced by Rs 2.5/kg.
A consumer activist said that the government, instead of hiking fares, should make it a telescopic fare. As per the telescopic fare suggested by government-appointed Khatua committee in the past, the fare for the first 8km remains as per tariff card while from 8.1 km to 12 km, the fares are reduced by 15% and thereafter there is a dip of 20% in fares for commuters.