Commuters using public transport, such as auto-rickshaws and cabs, get ready to pay more for ride. A committee for fare revision of auto-rickshaws and taxis in the national Capital has submitted its report to Delhi Government's Transport Department proposing to increase in l base rate for taxi rides by Rs 15 while three-wheeler charges for every kilometre may climb by Rs1.50.
The question arises how the authorities will check the illegal process of overcharging — refusing to switch on the metre or tampering it, and bargaining with the passenger to fix a price — is widespread. Barring rare cases, auto-rickshaw drivers in Delhi do not ply by the Government-regulated metre system.
Hence, an increase in official fares would only result in a proportional increase in such arbitrary fares charged by auto-rickshaw drivers overcharging remained prevalent, and it was the daily commuter who had to face major inconvenience. Notably, the autorickshaw and cabs are charging more in the name of increase prices of diesel, petrol and CNG before official announcement of fares in the national capital. According to Delhi government officials, the committee proposal to hike public transport like autorickshaw, taxis and cabs is to be put up before the cabinet approval.The date of the meeting has not been decided yet. A Delhi government committee tasked with fare revision of auto-rickshaws and taxis last month recommended an increase in fares demanded by various taxi and auto unions in the wake of rise in compressed natural gas (CNG) prices.
An official said that for three-wheelers, metre down fees, which had previously been set at Rs 25, would now be Rs 30. After it, every kilometre will cost Rs 11 rather than Rs 9.50. For taxies, the metre down fee is likely to increase from Rs 25 to Rs 40. The per-kilometre fare for non-AC taxis may increase to Rs 17 from Rs 14 while the per-kilometre fare for AC taxis may increase to Rs 20 from Rs 16.
Earlier, in April, the Delhi High Court came down heavily on the Delhi government for failing to act against e-rickshaws and autos plying on roads without fitness and registration certificates, noting the authorities are not serious in enforcing the law.
“We are amazed as to how the respondents (Delhi government’s Transport department) are permitting plying of e-rickshaws and autos, whose fitness certificate and registration respectively have expired, in broad daylight,” a Bench of Acting Chief Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Navin Chawla said.