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Why did this happen?

The Bombay High Court approved the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Transport Authority (MMRTA)’s decision to hike auto and taxi fares.

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Didn’t anyone protest?

The Mumbai Grahak Panchayat had asked for a stay on the proposed fare hike. They filed a PIL challenging the Hakim Committee’s formula to calculate auto and taxi fares. And applied for a stay on the fare revision. But the State Government discarded this report. Mumbai Grahak Panchayat’s counsel, advocate Uday Warunjikar had even called the hike an “arbitrary exercise of powers”. He shone light on the fact that fuel prices and consumer price index had gone down. Thus, there was no reason for the hike. However, the Court rejected the plea.

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What does this mean for commuters?

The weights and measures department has decided to re-calibrate electronic meters to the new fares. Once the new meters are functional, auto commuters will have to pay a minimum fare of ₹18. For every subsequent kilometre, instead of ₹11.33 per km, it will be ₹12.19 per km. As for black and yellow taxis, the minimum fare will be ₹22. Every next kilometre will be charged at ₹14.84 per km instead of ₹13.96 per km.

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For instance, a rickshaw ride from Bandra to Andheri, covering a distance of 10.87km could cost you anywhere between ₹132 and ₹159, depending on the traffic. And a cab ride, between ₹161 and ₹193. (As calculated on taxiautofare.com )

What you could do.

Share-a-cab or share-an-auto options are available to and from most train stations. You could opt for those. You could also log on to smartmumbaikar.com and pool with cab/auto/car riders for your everyday commute.

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