Mumbai Rather than demanding a fare hike, a section of auto rickshaw unions are asking for a subsidy on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for all public transport. However, some other unions have declared an indefinite strike from September 15 if a decision on fare hike is not addressed.
Over the last few months, CNG prices have increased by almost 70% but the fares have remained the same making it difficult for auto and taxi drivers to make ends meet. However, Shashank Rao, union leader, Mumbai auto rickshaw men’s union, said that burdening passengers with increased fare is not fair. “An approximately 40% subsidy accorded to all modes of public transport will get more citizens to use public transport at cheaper fares rather than them opting for private modes of transport due to a hike,” he added.
CNG prices, in the last one year, have gone up by ₹31/kg from ₹49.40 last year in July. However, the newly-formed state government ensured around a 12% decrease in CNG prices which is not helping drivers run long distances.
