Click it and Unblock the Notifications
Bengaluru, a city known for its busy roads and heavy use of public transport, may soon see an increase in autorickshaw fares. After recent changes in bus and metro fares, the focus has now shifted to autorickshaws. Driver unions have demanded a fare hike, leading the Bengaluru City District Regional Transport Authority to schedule a meeting to discuss possible changes. This meeting, planned for Wednesday, will decide whether autorickshaw fares should be revised to help drivers cope with rising costs.
Unions Demand a Higher Fare
The Auto Rickshaw Drivers' Union (ARDU) and the Adarsh Auto and Taxi Drivers' Union (AATDU) have strongly supported the need for a fare increase. Currently, the base fare is Rs 30 for the first two kilometres, with Rs 15 charged for each extra kilometre. The unions are asking for a new structure where the minimum fare would be Rs 50, and the per-kilometre rate would increase to Rs 25. They argue that this change is necessary to match the increasing costs of fuel and vehicle maintenance.
Transport Department's Proposal
While driver unions want a significant hike, the transport department has suggested a smaller increase. Their proposal includes raising the minimum fare to Rs 40 and charging Rs 20 per kilometre after the first two kilometres. This approach tries to balance the needs of drivers with the affordability of public transport for passengers.
Decision in the Hands of Authorities
The District Transport Authority (DTA), led by Bengaluru Urban Deputy Commissioner Jagadeesha G, will make the final decision. The authority consists of 10 Regional Transport Officers (RTOs), Deputy Commissioners of Police (Traffic), and representatives from driver unions. To ensure a fair decision, a five-member committee has been formed, chaired by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic-East) Sahil Bagla. The committee will study different factors such as fuel prices, traffic conditions, and passenger demand before making a recommendation.
"We will listen to all parties before submitting a report," said Sahil Bagla, confirming the importance of considering both drivers and passengers.
Final Decision Expected Soon
The Deputy Commissioner will decide whether fares should increase after reviewing the committee's report following the March 12 meeting. This decision is eagerly awaited by both autorickshaw drivers, who are struggling with rising costs, and passengers, who depend on affordable transportation for daily travel.
As Bengaluru continues to grow, the challenge remains to find a balance between ensuring fair earnings for drivers and keeping transport costs reasonable for the city's commuters.
