Auto drivers fleece passengers to cushion LPG price burden

BENGALURU: The state government has been turning a blind eye to the demand for revision of autorickshaw fare commensurate with skyrocketing LPG (liquified petroleum gas) prices. In a desperate bid to cushion the burden, several auto drivers in the city are demanding exorbitant tariff from passengers.
The autorickshaw fares were last revised in December 2013 and accordingly, the fare is a minimum of Rs 25 for the first 1.9km and Rs 13 for every subsequent km. The prices of LPG have seen several upward revisions since then, going up from Rs 32 per litre in 2013 to current Rs 51.75. This, however, has failed to goad the government into revising the fares.

“Frustrated with rising fuel prices and the government’s indifference, most autorickshaw drivers are inevitably demanding money over and above the meter reading,” M Manjunath, president of Adarsha Auto and Taxi Drivers Association said. “Asking for more money is an old practice among drivers. But, this has only become more rampant and unreasonable in the wake of LPG becoming dearer.”

Unlike petrol and diesel whose prices are revised daily, LPG prices are subject to monthly revision. Driven by crude oil prices in the global market and weakening Indian rupee, the fuel prices are rising exponentially. The LPG cost Rs 38 per litre in July this year and went up to Rs 45 a litre the next month. It touched Rs 47.50 a litre in September and was being sold at Rs 51.75 a litre in October.

“We’ve taken note of the fuel price rise, but there’s no proposal to hike fares before us. Unless we get direction from the government, we cannot take a decision on this,” said a transport department official.

The fare hike notification is first issued by the transport department following which the district administration enforces the new tariff.

Bengaluru Urban deputy commissioner BM Vijay Shankar said they are yet to hear from the transport department about the fare revision. “The regional transport authority (RTA) was held on Tuesday but, no decision was taken on fare revision,” he said.

According to government records, 1.25 lakh autos ply in the city but driver unions claim the number is about 85,000. About 35,000 vehicles are registered with app-based aggregators Ola and Uber and adhere to the fare structure fixed by the aggregators.

An Ola auto driver gets a minimum of Rs 28 for the first 4km and Rs 12km per subsequent km. Many drivers are lured by the surge prices and incentives the aggregators offer, with the latter running up to about Rs 500 per 15 trips, at times.

“Those affiliated to Ola and Uber are not exactly seeking a fare hike. Among the rest, most are into fleecing the commuters and they too are not bothered about the government policy, The badly hit are those who abide by the law and the government has to stand by them by revising the fares. We may have to plan a protest if our plea falls on deaf ears,” said Manjunath.