Southern States - Karnataka-Bangalore

Auto drivers demand another hike in fares

By Our Special Correspondent

Bangalore June 21. The Transport Department recently increased the minimum autorickshaw fare from Rs. 8.80 to Rs. 9 and the fare for each additional kilometre from Rs. 4 to Rs. 4.50, after petrol prices went up.

But autorickshaw drivers' unions are not satisfied with the fare increase which, they feel, will not match the constant fluctuation in fuel prices to be expected following deregulation in the prices of petroleum products which are now pegged to international rates for crude oil. The main grouse of the unions appears to be that they were not consulted before the Transport Department announced the revised fares.

The department is said to be waiting for a Union Government decision on offering a special package to autorickshaw owners and drivers, since the vehicles are used for public transport.

The feeling in official circles is that autorickshaw drivers are unhappy because they cannot easily pass on the 20 paise hike to passengers.

"In any case, they never used to return change for odd figures on meters to passengers, and never charged less than Rs. 10 as the minimum rate,'' they point out.

The Transport Department is said to favour meters which can be automatically adjusted to fare variations, depending on changes in the price of petrol, but autorickshaw drivers feel these will be too expensive.

According to the Adarsha Auto and Taxi Drivers' Union, there should be a substantial increase in fares the next time the prices of petrol are increased. Recalibration of meters costs up to Rs. 500, and it will not be economical to get it done for a 20 paise hike in fares. There is also no saying whether the revised meters will be useful if and when petrol prices go up again.

The President of the Radio-City Taxi Owners and Drivers' Association, N.L. Narendra Babu, says there is no immediate decision to increase radio taxi fares, and in any case, the announcement has to come from the Transport Department.

Meanwhile, radio-taxi owners have to face a loss in their earnings.

Commuters also feel that autorickshaw fares can be restructured more rationally, so that there is less room for overcharging or refusing to give change.

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