Telangana autorickshaw fares may rise after 12 years
HYDERABAD: Autorickshaw fares in Telangana may rise for the first time in more than a decade, with the Transport Department proposing a revision of the existing fare structure, as reported by TH.
The department has proposed raising the minimum fare from ₹20 to ₹30. The fare for every subsequent kilometre may increase from ₹11 to ₹14.
The Transport Department submitted the proposal to the state government after a committee reviewed the existing fares and operating costs of autorickshaws.
Committee cites rising fuel and maintenance costs
The committee has also proposed increasing waiting charges from ₹0.50 to ₹0.75 per minute. Luggage charges may rise from ₹0.25 to ₹0.50 per package.
The existing provision for night journeys will remain unchanged. Passengers travelling between 11 pm and 5 am will continue to pay one-and-a-half times the normal fare.
Fares unchanged since 2014
Autorickshaw fares have remained unchanged since 2014. The committee said drivers now face higher vehicle costs, financing charges, fuel prices, insurance premiums, repair expenses and maintenance costs.
It also considered rising household expenses, traffic congestion and the number of kilometres drivers can cover while earning revenue.
Kerala, Delhi and Karnataka fares compared
The committee compared Telangana’s proposed fares with those in other states.
Kerala and Delhi have a minimum fare of ₹30, while Karnataka charges ₹36. Maharashtra has a minimum fare of ₹26. In Tamil Nadu, Chennai autorickshaws charge a minimum fare of ₹25.
The committee considered vehicle costs, capital investment, financing, depreciation, fuel, maintenance, insurance, cost of living, traffic congestion and revenue-earning kilometres while recommending the revised fare structure.
