Pune Auto Fares Increased for the Third Time in 8 Months
Auto fares in Maharashtra’s Pune increased for the third time in last one year because of the hike in the price of CNG.
Pune, is not known to have good public transportation like local trains or metros as the reason of which Autorickshaw serves as the most affordable and accessible means of transportation for the common man.
However, once again, auto rickshaw fares have increased in the city which has forced the people of Pune to face high commuting prices. Before October 2021 the base fare for 1.5km was Rs18 which was raised to Rs 20 by the Regional Transport Authority (RTA), Pune. However, because of the protests held by the Auto Union, it was not implemented and later immediately increased to Rs 21 as the base fare and 13 Rs per Km after that. This was in October - November 2021. It is not even a year since the rates were increased, and now the fare has been increased for the third time.
As per revised rates approved by the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) of the Pune division, from 1st August 2022, the new fares will be Rs 23 for the first 1.5 km and thereafter Rs15 for every kilometer.The fare hike is mainly due to the hike in the CNG rates in the international market over the past few months since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began. Since the last couple of months, there has been a drastic increase in CNG rates from Rs 63 Per Kg to Rs 85 Per Kg making it completely unaffordable for auto drivers. The RTA took the decision based on the recommendations of auto unions who have been demanding a hike in fares for the past few months and have warned of protests if their demands are not fulfilled. This increase will help them a bit. Auto-rickshaw drivers have been instructed to complete the necessary meter up-gradation work by September 30, 2022. Those auto drivers who do not complete the upgrade will face action. Meanwhile, passengers are not happy with the decision. Kirti Mujumle, a regular auto passenger, said, “If CNG rates have increased causing this hike in auto fares, there has been a hike in all other commodities as well. Common people cannot afford to travel now with these new rates, and will have to depend on public transport.” What do you think about the hiked fares of Auto Rickshaw in Pune? Do mention your thoughts in the comment section below.
