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Auto fares increased to ₹23 for first 1.5 km due to CNG hike
This is the third consecutive fare hike by the RTA in the last one year, with the first and second fare hikes having been declared in the months of October and November, 2021, respectively
Once again, auto-rickshaw fares have increased by Rs2 with the new fares to be Rs23 for the first 11/2 km and thereafter Rs14 for every kilometre from August 1, as per revised rates approved by the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) of Pune division. This is the third consecutive fare hike by the RTA in the last one year, with the first and second fare hikes having been declared in the months of October and November, 2021, respectively.
The decision was taken on Monday in a joint meeting held by the Pune district collector Dr Rajesh Deshmukh, Pune regional transport officer Ajit Shinde, and other members of the RTA. The fare hike is mainly due to the hike in CNG rates in the international market over the past few months since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began. Since the last couple of months, there has been a drastic increase in CNG rates; at one point in time, the CNG rates had dropped to Rs62 in Pune, which have now risen to Rs85 per kg. Earlier, the state government had announced that it would cut down VAT on natural gas from 13% to 3%. From April 1, 2022, revised CNG rates in Pune had dropped to Rs62 per kg whereas due to the hikes in international rates, the CNG rates have again risen to Rs85 per kg in Pune.
The RTA took the decision based on the recommendations in the Khatua committee report as auto unions have been demanding a hike in fares since the past few months and have warned of protests if their demands are not fulfilled.
Nitin Pawar, auto-rickshaw convenor, said, “More than 90% of the autos in Pune are running on CNG and all of us were worried due to the continuous hike in CNG rates over the last few months. So, we were repeatedly demanding that fares be increased otherwise we would go on an indefinite strike soon. However as the fares have been revised on Monday, it will somewhat help auto drivers and we thank the RTA committee.”
As per the information shared by the Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO), the revised fares for three-seater rickshaws will come into effect from August 1 in Baramati, Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal corporations. Beginning August 1 in Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad and Baramati jurisdictions, the revised rates of 25% additional charges will be applicable for fares between midnight and 5am. Apart from these three jurisdictions, additional 40% charges will be applicable during night hours for the rest of the district. Auto-rickshaw drivers have been instructed to complete the necessary meter calibration work till September 30, 2022. Those auto drivers who do not complete the calibration will face action.
Meanwhile, passengers are not happy with the decision. Kirti Mujumle, a regular auto passenger, said, “If CNG rates have increased causing this hike in auto fares, there has been a hike in all other commodities as well. Common people cannot afford to travel now with these new rates, and will have to depend on public transport.”
