Rickshaw union in Pune demands fare hike

Rickshaw Panchayat, the largest union of autorickshaw drivers in Pune, has demanded a hike in fares and that autorickshaws be permitted to ferry schoolchildren.

The demands were made at a meeting of the Panchayat on Friday. Pointing out that the last fare hike was on November 12, 2011, almost two years ago, the Panchayat decided to stage an agitation if the fares are not hiked in 15 days.

However, convener of the Panchayat, Nitin Pawar said, “The Rickshaw Panchayat will not call for a strike demanding a fare hike in the near future.”
Pawar said the fare hike is warranted as fuel costs and cost of living have increased over the last two years. “Even the rickshaws converted to compressed natural gas (CNG) have to wait for a long time for refilling due to inadequate number of refilling stations, which results in losses for the rickshaw drivers,” he said.

Pawar added, “The regional transport office has said that autorickshaw transport for schoolchildren is illegal. This follows after the state transport department issued notices to autorickshaw drivers in Sangli, stating that autorickshaws are not permitted for ferrying schoolchildren.” 

Yet, transport of schoolchildren by autorickshaws is the safest mode as there are reports that only 1% of school transport accidents involve autorickshaws.”
The Rickshaw Panchayat will be submitting a letter on the revised fare hike and school transport to the regional transport office and district collector on Saturday. If any concrete decision is not made in this regard, then the Panchayat will take a final call at their meeting on July 1.