Bengaluru auto-rickshaw fares may go up as the District Transport Authority (DTA) will discuss the fare increase requests in an important meeting on March 12. Driver unions are asking for higher fares because of rising fuel costs and living expenses.
This could be the second fare increase in three years, with driver unions asking for higher rates to cover rising costs, according to a Moneycontrol report.
Drivers Ask for Fare Hike – How Much Are They Asking?
Auto-rickshaw fares in Bengaluru were last changed in November 2021, with the base fare set at Rs 30 for the first 1.9 km and Rs 15 for each extra kilometre. However, driver unions say these rates don’t match the current rise in living costs and fuel prices.
The Auto Rickshaw Drivers’ Union (ARDU) and the Adarsh Auto and Taxi Drivers’ Union (AATDU) are asking for a base fare of Rs 40 and Rs 20 per kilometre after that.
While some unions strongly support the fare increase, others are concerned that higher fares might cause passengers to stop using auto-rickshaws, which would affect their daily earnings.
Who Will Decide The New Fares?
The final decision will be made by the District Transport Authority (DTA), led by Bengaluru Urban Deputy Commissioner Jagadeesha G. The authority also includes 10 Regional Transport Officers (RTOs), Deputy Commissioners of Police (Traffic), and driver union representatives.
A five-member committee has been set up to review the fare hike request and will give its report after the March 12 meeting. The committee is headed by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic-East) Sahil Bagla, who confirmed the meeting and said, “We will listen to all parties before submitting a report.”
Who’s on the Committee and What Happens Next?
The other members of the committee are:
- Soundarya KS (RTO, State Transport Undertakings/Auto-rickshaws, secretary)
- S Mallesh (Jayanagar RTO)
- An official from the Department of Legal Metrology
The committee will look at fuel prices, traffic conditions, and passenger demand before making their recommendations. After the report is submitted, the Deputy Commissioner will make the final decision on whether to approve the fare increase.
