Rickshaw, taxi drivers demand ₹3 hike in minimum fare

After announcing that it will reduce its fare prices, the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) witnessed a rise in its daily ridership. This has resulted in the auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers facing a decrease in the number of customers. In order to cope with their losses, the drivers, have demanded a ₹3 hike in the minimum fare prices. The drivers have claimed that there has been no hike in fare prices for the last four years.

The rickshaw and taxi drivers will be therefore meeting Transport Minister, Anil Parab to discuss the increase in fare prices based on recommendations by the Khatua Committee and Hakeem Committee. Currently, the minimum fare price for auto-rickshaws is set at ₹18 till 2.5 km whereas the fare price for taxis is ₹22, and since 2015, the prices have remained unchanged.

The constant surge in the prices of petrol and diesel amid economic slowdown has led to the drivers demanding an increase in fares. They had made a similar demand during the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections and 2019 Assembly Elections, but it remained unfulfilled.

Mumbai Auto Rickshaw Taximen's Union President Shashank Rao has stated that he will meet the Transport Minister to propose a ₹3 hike in the minimum fare price. He added that the economic slowdown and inflated prices have an adverse effect on the drivers and so, it is necessary that the demand must be met.

Alongside, he also said that the Khatua Committee recommendations must be withdrawn and the Hakeem Committee recommendations must be re-introduced.

The Khatua Committee report said,

There will be regular rates up to 8 km and reduction in 15% in the basic fare from distance of 8.1 km to 12 km and a reduction of 20% for distances beyond 12 km.”

On the other hand, the Hakeem Committee report recommended that every year, the minimum fare prices must be increased by ₹1 every year. But due to the protests against the fare price rise and a petition filed in the court, the court had appointed one-member Khatua Committee instead of Hakeem Committee.

While the Khatua Committee presented its report, the state government did not accept it. Therefore, the drivers have demanded that the Hakeem Committee recommendations must be implemented and the minimum fare price must be increased.