Bengaluru auto rickshaw fare revision likely as transport dept calls for meeting

Bengaluru auto (representational picture)

Auto-rickshaw fares in Bengaluru are likely to increase as the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) has scheduled a meeting with auto unions in the city on December 23 to discuss a possible revision.

Auto rickshaw drivers are pushing for an increase in the minimum fare from Rs 30 to Rs 40 for the first two Km and from Rs 15 to Rs 20 for every subsequent Km. The last fare revision was in December 2021.

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Drivers argue that rising LPG prices, daily expenses, and maintenance costs have made the current rates unsustainable. "Fares and the prices of new auto rickshaws have skyrocketed. Auto fares have been revised only twice (2013 and 2021) in the past decade, failing to keep pace with inflation," said D Rudramurthy, general secretary of Auto Rickshaw Drivers' Union (ARDU). The price of auto LPG in Bengaluru is now Rs 61.49 per litre.

"If auto fares are adjusted yearly and enforcement improves, it will benefit both drivers and passengers. This will ensure availability of autos at fair rates which could also ease Bengaluru’s traffic congestion by encouraging public transport usage," he added.

C Sampath, general secretary of Adarsh Auto Drivers’ Union, said: “Bengaluru should follow the example of other cities in Karnataka where the minimum fare is already Rs 40. "In places like Shivamogga, Mangaluru, and Udupi, the minimum auto fare is Rs 40 for the first 2 km. Bengaluru should also have the same rate since the cost of living is high here," he said.

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A senior transport department official acknowledged the demands, saying, "We will review the drivers’ demands during the meeting and take a decision". A 50% premium is likely to be charged for night rides (from 10pm to 5am).

This means fares for aggregator firms like Uber, Ola, and Rapido will also increase. Auto aggregators were charging more than Rs 100 as minimum fare till the Karnataka high court intervened in October 2022. In October 2022, in response to citizens’ complaints and reports of autorickshaw minimum charges exceeding Rs 100, the transport department issued notices to aggregators, instructing them to cease operating autorickshaws and apply for a separate three-wheeler licence.
However, the aggregators have approached the court to challenge the move. Following this, the high court allowed aggregators to operate autos by charging 10 percent more than the government's base fare, plus 5 percent GST. This reduced the minimum fare for auto-rickshaws in Bengaluru, operated by aggregator services, to Rs 35.

If the base fare increases from Rs 30 to Rs 40 for the first 2 km, aggregators are also likely to hike their charges after obtaining approval from the High Court.

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However, some unions remain divided over the fare revision, fearing it could discourage passengers, especially after the introduction of the Shakti free bus scheme. Many passengers have voiced concerns about auto drivers refusing to follow meter rates, demanding excess fares, or refusing rides altogether.

Bengaluru traffic police records show cases of demanding excess fare increased from 2,179 in 2022 to 1,599 in 2023 and then to 3,026 in 2024 (Till October). Cases of refusing to hire increased from 2,183 in 2022 to 1,537 in 2023 and then to 3,014 in 2024 (Till October).

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