Auto fares up by Rs 6; pointless, no one uses meters, say commuters

Bengaluru: The hike in autorickshaw fares, effective August 1, has drawn mixed reactions from commuters and drivers.

The District Transport Authority (DTA) has increased the base fare for the first 2 km from Rs 30 to Rs 36. The per-kilometre rate has gone up from Rs 15 to Rs 18. Waiting charges are Rs 10 for every 15 minutes or part thereof after the first five free minutes. Luggage over 20 kg will attract a charge of Rs 10 per 20 kg or part thereof. Night-time rides between 10 pm and 5 am will cost 1.5 times the regular fare.

This is the first fare revision since November 2021.

The Auto Rickshaw Drivers' Union (ARDU) and the Adarsh Auto and Taxi Drivers' Union (AATDU) had demanded a base fare of Rs 40 and Rs 20 per km. The DTA agreed to only a 20 per cent hike.

Most commuters appeared indifferent.

A student from St Joseph’s University said, "I take an auto from the Vidhana Soudha metro station to college — just a 3-km ride — but it costs more than my metro fare from Rajajinagar."

A digital marketer from Yelahanka said, "I depend on public transport to save costs. But most drivers do not use meters. They overcharge, especially during peak hours. If this continues, using my own vehicle might be cheaper."

Another commuter added, "What is the point of revising meter rates if no one uses them? The few autos that do turn on meters mostly use it to charge ‘one-and-a-half’. They now prefer ride-hailing apps, which are more consistent.

Some drivers welcomed the revision.

"We mostly rely on app-based bookings anyway," said one driver. "This hike is not enough to make our earnings viable," said another.

ARDU general secretary D Rudramurthy said, "It was done disrespectfully without addressing drivers’ real concerns."

He pointed out that Mangaluru offers better rates. "That gives drivers a sustainable income. Why can’t Bengaluru follow that?" he asked.

A mobility activist supported the hike, calling it a start after five years. He blamed aggregators for disrupting the metered system.