Bengaluru Auto-rickshaw Union to protest against bike taxis, demand fare revision

ARDU's earlier protest in Bengaluru.

The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU)-backed Auto-rickshaw Drivers’ Union (ARDU) has decided to stage a protest at Freedom Park in Bengaluru on March 6, demanding a ban on bike taxis and a revision of auto fares.

“Our main demand is to ban illegal bike taxis, which are eating into the revenue of auto drivers. We pay all taxes, renew fitness certificates (FCs), and follow regulations, while white-board bike taxis, which don’t pay any taxes, are allowed to operate freely,” CN Srinivasan of ARDU told Moneycontrol.

Also, read: Bengaluru auto rickshaw fare revision likely as transport dept calls for meeting

“The government should also increase the per-Km fare for auto-rickshaws by Rs 5,” he said. Currently, per-Km auto fare is Rs 15, and ARDU is demanding an increase to Rs 20. This would raise the minimum fare for a 2 km ride from Rs 30 to Rs 40.

ARDU said that rising LPG prices, daily expenses, and maintenance costs have made the current fares unsustainable. “Operational expenses and the prices of new auto-rickshaws have skyrocketed. Auto fares have been revised only twice—in 2013 and 2021—over the past decade. In line with the rise in the cost of essential goods, the auto meter rate should be increased by Rs 5 per km,” said Srinivasan.

Also, read: Bengaluru faces transport fare hikes: After BMTC, autos and metro set to increase prices

The Regional Transport Authority (RTA) had scheduled a meeting with auto unions in the city on December 23 to discuss a possible fare revision, but it was later postponed. Officials said they will hold a meeting on March 12 to discuss the fare revision with various stakeholders, as auto drivers' unions themselves are divided—some fear that an increase might further discourage people from traveling by auto.

The revision of auto fares will further strain commuters' pockets following a 15 percent bus fare hike and up to a 71 percent Metro fare increase.

The Union is also demanding that the government allocate Rs 500 crore in the state budget for driver welfare schemes. Additionally, they are calling for the repeal of certain sections in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, which they claim impose harsh penalties of up to 10 years in prison and fines of Rs 7 lakh on drivers. They are also demanding a ban on unauthorised operations by Ola, Uber, Rapid Bike Taxi, and similar platforms.