Mumbai Taximen's Union moves High Court for auto, taxi fare hike

The Mumbai Taximen's Union on Friday moved the Bombay High Court seeking a direction to the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Transport Authority (MMRTA) to implement its decision to allow hiking fares of auto rickshaws and taxis plying in the city, besides Thane and Navi Mumbai.

The MMRTA has proposed a Rs 2 fare hike for auto rickshaws and taxis. Accordingly, the minimum auto fare would go up from Rs 15 to Rs 17, while minimum taxi fares would increase from Rs 19 to Rs 21.
In case the court approves the fare hike, the MMRTA is likely to implement it from July 10.

The union moved the court by filing an intervention application in a petition filed by a consumers' organisation - Mumbai Grahak Panchayat (MGP) - which had challenged the hike two years ago, after which the Bombay High Court had asked the Maharashtra Government to form a committee to look into the issue.

Incidentally, the committee proposed a hike. The Mumbai Grahak Panchayat is likely to oppose the fare hike as its members feel that the quality of service offered by auto rickshaws and taxis is extremely poor, especially at a time when inflation had taken a toll on the common man.