Mumbai autorickshaws, taxis hike fare

Mumbai: Commuters in the city on Thursday had to shell out more for their taxi and autorickshaw rides after the government’s decision to hike fares came into effect on Thursday.

The basic fares for autos have gone up from Rs12 (80 fils) to Rs15 with Rs9.87 (old rate Rs7.12) for each subsequent kilometre. The black and yellow taxis will now charge Rs19, from the old rate of Rs17, as the minimum distance fare and Rs12.35 (old rate Rs 10.50) for every additional km. For cool cabs, fares have gone up from Rs21 to Rs23 with a per km fare hike of Rs15.42 (old rate Rs13.12).

In many parts of Mumbai, particularly the western suburbs, there was plenty of confusion over the fares as commuters argued and quarrelled with drivers since none of the vehicles are plying with a recalibrated meter. The transport department has set a 45-day deadline to recalibrate all meters and the new tariff cards that have been issued will be valid till November 24.

The fare hike has been criticized by commuters across the city and is said to be the third hike in the last 12 months. The Mumbai Grahak Panchayat (a consumer protection body) has filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Bombay High court challenging the increase in fares. The PIL has appealed to the court to quash the Hakim Committee report that recommended the new fares and allow the fare hike only after all autos and taxis install electronic meter by March 2013. The petition has claimed that the state has constantly fallen to pressures from transport unions.

Commuters are now worried and angry that the new fares will not only burn a hole in their pockets but they can expect no improvement in services. Rude drivers who refuse to take passengers to their destinations is a common complaint especially during peak hours. A senior police officer has advised commuters to not ask but just get into the vehicle and then tell the driver where to go. It has to be seen whether the drivers comply to traffic rules now that their demands have been met.

While the suburban railway is considered the lifeline of Mumbai and BEST’s public bus transport coming next in importance, the significance of autos and taxis cannot be denied. Nearly 42,000 taxis and 109,000 autos plying across the city and suburb provide the much needed relief from crowded trains and buses.