Daijiwrold Media Network- Mumbai

Mumbai, Jan 25: Travel by auto rickshaws and taxis in Mumbai will become more expensive starting February 1, as the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Transport Authority (MMRTA) has approved a Rs 3 fare hike. The increase comes in response to the rising costs of living, vehicle maintenance, fuel, and other operational expenses.

The minimum fare for auto rickshaws will rise from Rs 23 to Rs 26, while the minimum fare for taxis will increase from Rs 28 to Rs 31. Additionally, the fare for Cool Cabs will go up from Rs 40 to Rs 48.

The per-kilometre rates will also see an increase. The new per-kilometre fare for taxis will be Rs 20.66, up from Rs 18.66, while auto rickshaws will charge Rs 17.14 per kilometre, an increase from Rs 15.33. The Cool Cab fare per kilometre will rise to Rs 37.20 from Rs 26.71. This fare revision will only apply to autos and taxis running on CNG within the MMR.

The fare hike will be implemented only for vehicles that have recalibrated their electronic meters, a process that will begin on February 1 and continue until April 30. Auto and taxi drivers, as well as permit holders, will be issued tariff cards, valid until the end of April.

While the fare hike is expected to benefit auto and taxi drivers, who have long been requesting an increase, some unions have expressed concern over the time required for recalibrating the meters. Thampy Kurien, head of the Mumbai Rickshawmen’s Union, stated that it would take at least six months to recalibrate all the vehicles, and urged authorities to provide more time for this process.

This fare increase follows a previous hike in September 2022, which was based on recommendations from the Khatua Committee. Auto and taxi union leaders, including Shashank Sharad Rao, have welcomed the Rs 3 hike, stating that it would improve drivers' financial conditions and potentially raise their monthly earnings by 6-7%.

The MMRTA has also approved new auto and taxi stands at various locations, including outside metro and railway stations. A total of 68 new auto rickshaw stands, nine shared auto stands, and two black-and-yellow taxi stands will be set up across the region.

In a separate development, the MMRTA has rejected a proposal from the Thane Municipal Corporation to reduce fares for AC buses, advising a reconsideration of the proposal based on factors like population density and ridership.

The 15% hike in state transport bus fares will put additional strain on the state government's finances, as it will increase the subsidy paid to the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC). The cost burden is expected to rise by ?40 crore per month due to a 50% concession granted to women passengers.

Opposition to the fare hike has come from Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, who criticized the increase in ST bus fares, calling it unjustified and sarcastically remarking that the government should use the incoming investment in Maharashtra to reverse the fare hike.