Despite a reduction in the retail price of the compressed natural gas (CNG) recently, Mumbai’s kaali peeli taxi and autorickshaw unions has been demanding a hike in the minimum fare after the assembly sessions.
This move comes as the said drop in CNG price is very meagre; however, the taxi and rickshaw operators have got some relief and they have also thanked the Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for slashing the rates, read the official statement released by Mumbai taximen's union.
For those unversed, on Tuesday, August 16, Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL) had announced a steep reduction in the retail price of the compressed natural gas (CNG) by INR 6 per kg and domestic piped natural gas (PNG) by INR 4 per standard cubic metre (SCM). Now, the revised MRP, inclusive of all taxes, of the CNG is INR 80 per kg while the PNG rate is INR 48.50/SCM in and around Mumbai.
The black and yellow taxi unions have also demanded that the minimum base fare for the first 1.5 km be increased to INR 35 from the existing INR 25.
Additionally, if going beyond the base fare, passengers presently pay INR 17 per km. But, taxi drivers are demanding to increase it by INR 3 per km to make their daily trips viable.
On the other hand, the minimum fare of a rickshaw is INR 21, which needs to be increased to INR 24. After the first km, the fare presently is INR 14.20 per km, which needs to be revised to INR 16 per km, sought the unions.
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