Now, long-distance taxis want fare hikes too

After taxi and autorickshaw fares were hiked in the city, service providers have started pushing for higher fares on taxis from the city to Pune, Nashik and Shirdi as well.

After taxi and autorickshaw fares were hiked in the city, service providers have started pushing for higher fares on taxis from the city to Pune, Nashik and Shirdi as well.

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While Mumbai-Pune taxi service operators want their fare to be revised on a per-kilometer basis, Mumbai-Nashik taxi services have demanded a flat Rs50 extra. Commuters using Mumbai-Pune taxi services pay Rs300 and Rs370 per seat for regular and cool cab rides respectively. The fare per person for Mumbai-Nashik taxis is Rs445 and Mumbai-Shirdi taxis charge Rs550 per person.

The Mumbai Metroplitan Region Transport Authority had hiked auto and taxi fares in the city on October 11,

An official from the Regional Transport Office (RTO) said their demands will be considered at the RTO level. A decision will be taken after negotiations with taxi unions.

“Our fare has not been revised for two years now. At the present fare, it has become impossible for taxi drivers to survive,” said Shanker Shetty, general secretary of the Mumbai-Pune taxi service owners association. He added that they have asked for Rs2.35 less per kilometre than regular black and yellow taxis charge in the city and Rs2.42 less per kilometre than cool cabs do.

Malkit Singh, controller of Mumbai-Nashik Taxi service said the RTO had last given them fare hike in March. But inflation combined with higher fuel prices, toll taxes and insurance costs have made it difficult for them to run their houses. “We are running our taxi at a loss of about Rs175 a day,” said Singh.