Now, fleet taxi companies and radio cabs demand hike in fares

Following ordinary taxis and autos, even fleet taxi operators have demanded a fare hike.

Following ordinary taxis and autos, even fleet taxi operators have demanded a fare hike.

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The fleet taxi companies want a hike of Rs 7 for every kilometre beyond the first 1.6-km phase.

They also want the minimum distance to be extended to 5 km from 1.6 km: they have requested transport authorities to allow them to charge fare for 5 km if passengers book cabs through the call centre or website.

Radio taxi companies also asked to double the per hour waiting charge of the cabs from the current Rs 30 as it hasn’t been revised since 2006. The association of radio cab operators (ARCO), a body of radio cab operators in the city, has made a representation about these demands.

According to regional transport office (RTO) sources, the ARCO hasn’t asked for any hike in fare for minimum distance of 1.6km. The state transport Authority (STA) will decide about the requested hike.

Rajesh Puri, President of ARCO and chief executive officer of MERU fleet taxi company confirmed that the demands had been made.

“We have demanded fare hike for radio cabs to transport authorities as per Hakim committee formula as the price of compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel and the consumer price index has gone up,” he said.

“We have asked for waiting charge of Rs 2 per km as present per hour waiting charge is less than black and yellow taxis.”