Transport Department takes help from mobile app to implement fare hike

Following the announcement of a fare hike of autos and rickshaws in Mumbai, the process is underway to update the new rates according to the meter.

However, the Department of Transport has decided to take the help of a mobile application to carry out this process smoothly, considering the technical problems that come with it, and the information that RTOs do not get every day.

After increasing the fares of rickshaws and taxi’s, the driver-owners were given a period of three months to make necessary changes in the meter. Until then, the new tariff was allowed to be charged. However, technical issues and confusion have ensued in the process of updating the meter due to which the Department of Transportation has to rely on a mobile app to speed up and monitor the meter update process without any confusion. The name of the officer, the number of vehicles inspected by him, all the information will be given to the control room through the mobile app, the Transport Commissioner's Office further informed.

Rickshaw-taxi fare hike was implemented in Mumbai from March 1, 2021, and the initial minimum fare was increased by INR 3, due to which, rickshaw fares have gone up from INR 18 to Rs 21 for rickshaws and from INR 22 to Rs 25 for taxis. Furthermore, to strengthen the implementation, drivers across Mumbai have been instructed to make necessary changes in the meter within three months, until which they will be permitted to collect the fare by showing the new tariff.