Government considering revising Bengaluru auto fares every two or three years

Bengaluru: The state government is considering revising the tariffs of autorickshaws in Bengaluru with more frequency, possibly every two to three years, according to Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy. An association of car drivers in Bengaluru had last month written to the minister requesting an annual review of rates as per the Precios Mayoristas (IPM) index. It introduced amendments to existing laws, particularly Section 67(i) of the Motor Vehicles Act. This section stipulates that car rates must be set “from time to time”, but no specific period of time is specified. The letter asked the minister to change the words from “sometimes” to “each year as per the wholesale price index”. Car fare in Bengaluru has been increased only twice in the last 10 years: 2013 and 2021. The current fare is Rs 30 for the first two kilometers and Rs 15 for each kilometer thereafter. Both conductors and experts in public transportation agree that it is necessary to review rates more frequently. Arguing that doing so would reduce questions about car drivers, particularly regarding excessive fares and negative commutes. Even in a small town like Udupi, car fare is Rs 40 for the first 1.5 km and Rs 20 for every subsequent km, according to Satya Arikutharam, an independent expert on urban mobility. We work with all car drivers: Namma passenger He believes that frequent revision of fares can reduce the frequent negativity towards transport from conductors in Bengaluru. D Rudramurthy of the Auto Rickshaw Conductors Syndicate (ARDU), who wrote the letter last month, says an annual review of tariffs would help reduce traffic congestion or make car trips more reliable and allow conductors to book trips or charge fees. The probability will be less. More. In announcements made to DH, Reddy recognized the problem and defended the tariff revision in view of the increase in fuel costs. He said he has asked the Transport Commissioner to determine the modalities for reviewing the tariffs and submit a report. However, he said that an annual review of tariffs “is not possible”, but that it could be done “every two to three years”. He said the decision would be taken after the actual winter session of the Legislature in Belagavi ends. By November 30, the Bengaluru Traffic Police arrested 1,559 car drivers for demanding exorbitant fares and another 1,475 for refusing to travel. The punishment for both offenses is a fine of Rs 500. Police have set up a direct line where passengers can submit enquiries.