With the fresh surge in covid cases in Maharasthra and Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray hinting at another lockdown in Mumbai, it seems the problems of common man is far from over. Now, Mumbaikars have to shell out more for availing auto and taxi services. The minimum fare for autorickshaws and taxis will witness a hike of Rs 3 from March onwards. ALSO READ | COVID Scare Grips India: Gujarat Guards Up Check Posts At Maharashtra & MP, Curfew In Jodhpur | Check Status Of Your State
Maharashtra Transport Minister Anil Parab has informed about the approval by The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Transport Authority in price rise saying the minimum fare for autorickshaws and taxis will be Rs 21 and Rs 25 respectively, as per PTI report.
What will you pay?
After the hike, the minimum fare over a distance of 1.5 km for taxis will increase from Rs 22 to Rs 25 and the three-wheelers will witness a rise from Rs 18 to Rs 21, as per PTI sources. On travelling beyond this flag down minimum distance, it will cost you Rs 16.93 per kilometres for taxis and Rs 14.20 per kilometre for autorickshaws.
How is the fare calculated?
The new fare rise has been derived in line with the formula designed by the four-member Khatua panel which entails a hike per kilometre of Rs 2.09 for taxis and Rs 2.01 for autorickshaws. The decision was taken in a meeting by Mumbai Metropolitan Region Transport Authority (MMRTA) chaired by the transport secretary on Monday. Transport Minister Anil Parab said drivers owners will have to recalibrate their electronic meters within a period of three months from March 1 to reflect the new fares.
The minister informed the fare hike in the financial capital has come after a gap of six years and "it was long overdue".
The last fare hike was implemented on June 1, 2015. Consumer rights NGO Mumbai Grahak Panchayat''s Shirish Deshpande pointed out the fare rise should be kept in abeyance for three months since people are already in distress because of job losses and other impact caused due to pandemic and economic downturn.
However, Mumbai Taximen''s Union leader AL Quadros were cheering about the taxi fare hike. As per the report, Shashank Rao, leader of the Mumbai Automen''s Union, cited that their demand of compensation of Rs 10,000 per month for lockdown period and loan waiver has still not be considered.
Meanwhile,the price of petrol in Mumbai remain unchanged at ₹97 for a litre and diesel at ₹88 per litre on Tuesday.