Travelling in auto-rickshaws and taxis in Mumbai city of Maharashtra will now cost more as the base fares were increased by Rs 3 on Monday.
After witnessing a rise in the petrol prices, travelling in auto-rickshaws and taxis in Mumbai city of Maharashtra will now cost more. The base fares for auto-rickshaws and taxis were increased by Rs 3 on Monday.
Autos that would earlier charge a minimum fare of Rs 18 will now charge Rs 21 and the minimum fare for ‘kaali-peeli’ taxis has been increased from Rs 22 to Rs 25. Mumbai is already combating the Covid situation and now with a hike in fares, travelling will become costlier for commuters.
Auto drivers in Mumbai said the fares have not been increased in the past five years despite a rise in fuel prices, maintenance and insurance. Unions of auto drivers and taxi drivers in Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai have welcomed the hike.
Petrol price on Saturday touched an all-time high of Rs 97 per litre in Mumbai, while diesel rate crossed Rs 88. Petrol price was hiked by record 39 paise per litre and diesel by 37 paise a litre, according to a price notification of state-owned fuel retailers. Diesel now comes for Rs 88.06 a litre in Mumbai.
While the unions have welcomed the fare hike, there are concerns among some taxi drivers. “People were not travelling when the fare was Rs 21. We are not sure how many commuters in Mumbai will opt for taxis,” said a taxi driver from Mumbai.
