Bengaluru auto prices to get more costlier? Rs 40 minimum fare proposal under review
Over the past decade, auto fares have been revised twice. The last revision was in November 2021, when the base fare was set at ₹30 for the first 1.9 km and ₹15 per kilometre thereafter. Before that, fares were last revised in 2013.
Transport Authority’s Role in Fare Revision
A meeting, chaired by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic-East) Sahil Bagla, saw more than 15 auto drivers’ unions presenting their case for a fare hike. Also in attendance was Soundarya K S, Secretary of the Transport Department. The DTA, led by Urban Deputy Commissioner Jagadeesha G, has now formed a five-member committee to evaluate the proposal. The committee will consider factors such as passenger demand, traffic conditions, and economic feasibility before submitting a report.
Bagla acknowledged the ongoing discussions, stating, “During the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) meeting last month, the Deputy Commissioner constituted a sub-committee to assess the need for a fare revision. Today’s meeting with auto unions was aimed at gathering their views on whether fares should be increased or remain unchanged. While some unions supported a hike, others preferred maintaining the current rates. The next step is for officials to evaluate these inputs and finalise recommendations, which will be submitted to the deputy commissioner. A final decision will be taken in the upcoming RTA meeting.”
Unions Make Their Case
Auto-rickshaw unions argue that rising fuel prices and inflation justify a fare revision. Tanveer Pasha, President of the Auto Union Federation, explained, “Metro and BMTC bus fares have increased, and inflation has impacted all sectors. Auto fares, however, have remained unchanged for years. The last revision brought the minimum
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