The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Transport Authority (MMRTA) has approved a hike of ₹3 in the base fare of autorickshaws and black-and-yellow taxis in Mumbai and the surrounding metropolitan region, effective February 1. However, the new fares will only apply after the meters are recalibrated, the MMRTA clarified in its release.
Fare Hike Details
Autorickshaws: The base fare will increase from ₹23 to ₹26.
Taxis: The base fare will rise from ₹28 to ₹31.
Blue-and-Silver AC Cool Cabs: The starting fare will go up from ₹40 to ₹48 for the first 1.5 kilometers
The fare revision comes in response to repeated increases in CNG prices, which have surged nearly fourfold over the past year. The last Auto-taxi fare hike happened in October 2022, after that the price of CNG has increased after about ten times. As per the rules, MMRTA had to increase the fare. There was also constant pressure from the unions in this.
New Auto-Taxi Stands to Enhance Connectivity
Along with the fare hike proposal, MMRTA has approved new auto-taxi stands to enhance connectivity in the region. Seven new auto stands have been approved outside 3 metro stations. These include 2 stands outside BKC metro station, 2 outside Bandra Colony (Vidyanagari), 1 stand each outside Santacruz metro station, Terminal 1 Airport and Sahar Road metro station.
The MMRTA is also planning to introduce over 30 regular and share auto-taxi stands along busy routes in the eastern and western suburbs, as well as in Thane, Kalyan, and Vasai.
AC Bus Fare Reduction for Thane Residents
Thane residents have a reason to celebrate as the MMRTA is proposing a 35%-50% reduction in AC bus fares to compete with BEST and Navi Mumbai municipal transport. The base fare for a 2 km distance would drop from Rs 20 to Rs 10.
“The reduction is necessary to match the competitive fares offered by BEST and Navi Mumbai transport services, where minimum AC bus fares are ₹6 and ₹10, respectively,” said a transport department official.
MSRTC Bus Fares Increased by 15%
On the other hand, traveling by Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) buses has become costlier as fares have been increased by 15%, effective January 25. For instance, the fare for the Pune Shivneri bus has risen to ₹77. Despite the hike, a 50% discount will continue for senior citizens and women. This move comes as MSRTC faces a loss of Rs 90 crore every month.
Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said, “ST fares had not been increased for many years. It has been increased after a long time. ST is facing a loss of Rs 90 crore every month. Therefore, they have no option other than increasing the fare.”
With the dual impact of rising auto-taxi and ST bus fares, Mumbai commuters are set to face higher transportation costs. However, measures such as new auto-taxi stands and reduced AC bus fares aim to ease connectivity and provide affordable alternatives in some areas.
