Taxi and auto fares may go up by Rs 2 in Mumbai

MUMBAI: July will be a crucial month for commuters as key decisions are likely to be taken by the state transport department. First, you can expect hikes in autorickshaw and taxi fares of at least Rs 2. Second, the bus fares might drop drastically and this will be decided at MMRTA meeting on Wednesday, with a historic fare revision of Rs 5 for 5km ride coming into effect as early as Thursday. Third, the government may accept few recommendations of the Khatua panel report and there could be a cap on 'surge price' of Ola and Uber from this month. The cap could range between two and three times, sources said.
A senior transport official said: "The government may also try to introduce a new concept in fare collection telescopic fares for Kaali Peelis and autorickshaws in Mumbai, as suggested by Khatua panel." This means that the fare tapers down as you travel long distance.
This recommendation by panel chief and former bureaucrat B C Khatua was acceptable to several commuter rights activists including Mumbai Grahak Panchayat. Shirish Deshpande of MGP said, "Telescopic fare is an excellent recommendation by Khatua and will benefit scores of commuters who travel long distances. For example, the fare will be cut down by 15% for distances between 8-12km. For distance beyond 12km, you will get a discount of 20% which means huge savings."
The government plans to introduce fare hikes for both autos and taxis along with telescopic fares, sources said although the MMRTA is yet to take a final call. The hike in autorickshaw fare could be from present Rs 18 to at least Rs 20, and taxi fare from present Rs 22 to at least Rs 24, sources said.
Auto unions have, however, demanded Rs 6 fare hike while taxi unions have asked for at least Rs 3 hike. Deshpande said commuters were strictly against any fare hike. "It is uncalled for and will also be suicidal for the auto-taxi trade as bus fares are dropping significantly. Nobody will board autos and taxis if there is fare hike, and everyone will wait in bus queues," he warned.
Another important step the government may take this month is introduce "Happy Hours" discounted rides upto 15% between 12 noon and 4 pm in all cabs. However, taxi union leader A L Quadros who was called for discussions at Mantralaya on Friday expressed his objection to Happy Hours. "We have 15,000 senior citizens who have taxi permits and depend on the income by giving it on rent to drivers. If there is discounted fare for commuters, how will these permit holders make profits. It is unacceptable to us," he stated. Quadros, however has not threatened to protest on this issue.
Quadros said he was in favour of telescopic fares if the City Taxi scheme was implemented and the aggregator cabs like Ola and Uber were brought under government control.