Mumbai: Auto unions seek Rs 2 fare hike as CNG cost rises

MUMBAI: The auto unions have used the RTO-approved formula on fare hikes and found that the fare should be Rs 23 for the minimum distance of 1.5 km instead of the present Rs 21. They are now demanding a two-rupee hike in fares for autorickshaws plying in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Thane.
“We have taken into account all the parameters and factors that lead to a fare hike. These include the current cost of living, repair and maintenance costs, capital costs, insurance and taxes and fuel costs of running an auto in Mumbai,” said Thampy Kurien of Mumbai Rickshawmen’s Union.
The hike is mainly due to an increase in CNG cost by Rs 14 in just ten months of 2021. He further said that every time a hike was approved, there was a formula based on which the fares were increased for both autos and taxis. “I have the basic formula for auto fare hikes and have used actual data to calculate based on the huge increase in fuel and other costs in 2021,” he said.