Mumbai cab drivers voice distress as CNG rises to Rs 86/kg
Mumbai, May 30
Following a Rs 2 per kilogram hike in Compressed Natural Gas prices in Mumbai, cab drivers on Saturday expressed concern over rising operating costs, saying the increase would further affect their earnings as passenger fares remain unchanged.
The CNG prices in Mumbai were hiked by Rs 2 per kilogram, taking the retail price to Rs 86 per kg amid concerns over global energy supplies due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia. The price hike triggered concern among cab drivers.
Speaking to ANI, local cab driver Faiz Khan said the increase in CNG prices was creating difficulties for drivers whose income has not kept pace with rising expenses.
"All I want to say is that this is causing a lot of trouble now. The previous rate of CNG was lower, and now the price has gone up, but the fares we used to get are still the exact same--the fares haven't increased. The amount of work we used to get done before is much less now, and we are the ones suffering because of it," he told ANI.
Another driver, Maan Singh Nikam, said repeated hikes in CNG prices were directly impacting their livelihoods.
"If the government is increasing inflation like this, what can we even do? This shouldn't happen. They have raised CNG prices three times already; they shouldn't increase it anymore. The fares are still the same as before; they haven't increased, but the price of CNG keeps going up. It directly impacts our earnings--if we spend it all on CNG, our actual income remains just as low as before," he said.
Echoing similar concerns, driver Shakeel Ahmed said the rise in fuel costs has not been matched by an increase in customer fares.
"It is definitely a loss for us, sir, because earlier the rates were low, and now the rates are high. When we ask the customers (parties) to pay more, they refuse to increase the rates, and we are forced to work for the same old amount. The customers are not increasing the fares, but the price of gas keeps rising. This means inflation is just going up and up, it's not coming down at all," he said.
Meanwhile, in New Delhi, the CNG was hiked by Rs 2.61 to Rs 102.12 per litre, which was the fourth straight increase in price this month.
— ANI
Reader Comments
I take an auto to work every day and I feel for these drivers. But at the same time, if fares go up, commuters like us will also suffer. The real problem is global energy prices and the government's lack of long-term planning. We need more electric vehicles and better public transport options instead of passing the burden to common people.
Same old story - inflation keeps rising but salaries and fares stay frozen. These drivers are earning less than what they did 2 years ago. I've heard some drivers are even considering switching to petrol because CNG is no longer cheaper. This is a crisis waiting to happen for Mumbai's transport system.
I understand the drivers' pain but honestly, the government has its hands tied due to global factors. The West Asia conflict is affecting energy prices worldwide, not just India. Maybe the solution is to have a dynamic fare system tied to fuel prices, similar to how Ola/Uber surge pricing works. That would be fair for both drivers and passengers.
It's not just drivers who are affected. This will lead to higher prices for everything - from vegetables to medicines - because transport costs will go up. The common man is trapped between rising costs and stagnant wages. We need a comprehensive policy that protects both consumers and essential workers like cab drivers.
Respectful criticism: While I sympathize with the drivers, I think the government should prioritize long-term solutions like expanding EV charging infrastructure and improving local train and bus services. Relying on CNG autos and cabs is not sustainable. Also, why is CNG in Delhi at Rs 102/kg while
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.