Autorickshaw, taxi fares to go up soon

New Delhi, June 7 : With the price of CNG increased, and circle rates for buying and selling of properties in the city likely to go up, the transport department is ready with the proposal to hike fares of autos and taxis after the Sunday's cabinet meeting.

The matter is likely to be taken up by the cabinet soon. According to sources, the meter-down fare for autos may go up to Rs 15 from the existing Rs 10 and for taxis it may go up to Rs 20 from Rs 15.
A senior official said that there are two options in each case. For autos it can be Rs 8 or Rs 10 while for taxis it may be Rs 13 or Rs 15. The final call on what goes to the cabinet will have to be taken by the transport minister. Or maybe both options will be tabled and the cabinet will decide.
At present, autos charge Rs 4.50 for every additional km beyond the first and taxis charge Rs 8.50.
The auto and taxi unions have been demanding for a fare hike ever since the chief minister's statement in the Assembly about the phasing out of autos.

The agitation gathered steam following reports of hikes in CNG prices. Now that the hike is going to come into effect later this week, the pressure is building up even further with talks of yet another auto strike.

Transport minister Arvinder Lovely had earlier said that fare hike will be linked to installation of GPS in autos which will bring them under constant surveillance of the transport department. Transport officials say no final decision has been taken on the matter.