Telangana proposes first auto fare hike in over a decade
Telangana Transport Department proposes auto fare revision after 12 years, with minimum fare rising from ₹20 to ₹30 and per-km charges from ₹11 to ₹14.
Autorickshaw commuters in Telangana may soon have to pay more, as the state Transport Department has submitted a proposal to revise fares for the first time in over 12 years. The recommended changes would raise the minimum fare from ₹20 to ₹30, while the charge for every subsequent kilometre would go up from ₹11 to ₹14.
The proposal follows the findings of a committee set up to examine the prevailing fare structure and the operating costs faced by auto drivers. Along with the base fare revision, the committee has suggested increasing waiting charges from ₹0.50 to ₹0.75 per minute and luggage charges from ₹0.25 to ₹0.50 per package. The existing practice of charging one-and-a-half times the normal fare for night journeys between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. has been retained in the recommendations.
The current fare structure has been in place since 2014. In justifying the revision, the committee pointed to the significant rise in vehicle acquisition and financing costs, fuel prices, insurance premiums, and expenses on repairs and maintenance. It also noted the impact of urban congestion and the growing household expenditure of drivers as factors necessitating the fare adjustment.
The final decision now rests with the state government, which will review the proposal before implementing any changes.