Taxi, cab rides: New structure here after revised fares in Delhi OK’d
In the wake of rising CNG fares in Delhi since the last few months, the Delhi Government has approved the revised fare for auto rickshaw and taxi in Delhi. The new fares shall be applicable once these are notified in the coming weeks.
The last revision in the auto rickshaw fares happened in 2020 while that for Taxi which includes Black and Yellow Taxi, Economy taxi and Premium taxi, happened nine years back in 2013. In 2020, while the fare of CNG was Rs 47, it has now increased to Rs 78 by October 2022. Delhi’s Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot had received many representations from the auto rickshaw and taxi associations/unions on this issue, said the statement, adding that hence a committee of 13 members was formed in May 2022 to review and recommend the fare in the wake of increasing rate of CNG, cost and maintenance of auto rickshaw and taxi, and various other issues affecting the net earning of auto rickshaw and taxi drivers.
According to the revised fares, the meter down charge (minimum fare) for the initial 1.5 kilometre for autorickshaws has been increased from Rs 25 to Rs 30, while the per kilometre charge after meter down has been hiked from Rs 9.50 to Rs 11. Waiting charges and night charges have been increased while the charges for extra luggage have been hiked from Rs 7.50 to Rs 10.
The existing charge for the first 1 km is Rs 25 for both AC and non-AC taxis, which will go up to Rs 40. The per kilometre charge after meter down was Rs 14 for non-AC and Rs 16 for AC. Following the revision, it will increase to Rs 17 for non-AC and Rs 20 for AC taxis. The 25 per cent night charges will remain unchanged. The waiting charge, which is currently Rs 30, will be charged by Re 1 per minute after 15 minutes stay and the extra luggage charge has been hiked from Rs 10 to Rs 15.
The committee recommended revising the fare for black and yellow taxi and economy taxi which was then reviewed and approved by the Delhi government. The committee also recommended not to change the existing fare for the Premium Taxi category to avoid them being too expensive for the users.
Gahlot said: “We have seen the fuel prices in India have gone up in the recent months which has impacted the profits of the drivers. The increased cost led them to further drive less km which ultimately impacted the supply on road for the citizens of Delhi traveling to their offices or home. The revised fares will help them to support their families and will also provide convenience to the passengers with increased availability of Auto rickshaws and taxis in the city.”
This comes as a relief to nearly two lakh auto rickshaw and taxi drivers who had to bear more cost due to recent hikes in the CNG prices, said the statement.
