Auto fares might go up by May. Armed with calculations that show that the cost of driving a rickshaw has increased by 93 paise per kilometre, rickshaw unions have shot off letters to the state transport department asking for a fare hike as per the PMA Hakeem Committee formula that lays down the formula to calculate a fare hike.
Auto fares might go up by May. Armed with calculations that show that the cost of driving a rickshaw has increased by 93 paise per kilometre, rickshaw unions have shot off letters to the state transport department asking for a fare hike as per the PMA Hakeem Committee formula that lays down the formula to calculate a fare hike.
The committee's fare formula stipulates that if the cost of the trade increases by 50 paise or more per kilometre, the fare needs to revised. The formula is calculated in April so that the fare revision, if any, can be done by the first week of May.
While complex mathematics will come in to work out the fare hike before the transport department accepts the demand, if at all, back-of-the-envelope calculations show that the minimum fare will go up from Rs 17 to Rs 18. The fare for every subsequent kilometre, which is currently Rs 11.33, will go to Rs 11.95 per kilometre. A trip of around 2.5 km that costs the commuter Rs 28 could go up to Rs 30 if the hike comes in.
Speaking to dna, Thampi Kurien of the Mumbai Rickshawmen's Union said, "We calculated the hike based on the fact that everything from the cost of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) to the cost of living index has increased over the past few months, So we believe a fare hike is out right this time around."
According to Kurien, the hike was calculated as the price of CNG had increased from Rs 38.95 per kilogram to Rs 42.45 per kg now. "The basic cost of a rickshaw has gone up from Rs 1.42 lakh to Rs 1.5 lakh. Third party insurance, which the driver has to pay, has also increased by around Rs 600," said Kurien.
However it has not cut much ice with commuters who believe that before a fare hike, the condition of services should improve. "The reality on the road is still the same. Drivers are refusing to take commuters over short distances, some of the meters look fishy and on several routes one just doesn't find an auto," said Manish Chaturvedi, a Bhandup resident.
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