Mandya District Announces Comprehensive Autorickshaw Fare Revision After Seven Years
In a significant development for public transport in the region, Deputy Commissioner Kumara has officially announced a comprehensive revision of autorickshaw fares across Mandya district. The decision, which comes after careful deliberation by the Regional Transport Authority (RTA), aims to balance the interests of the general public, auto drivers, and vehicle owners in light of changing economic realities.
Addressing Rising Operational Costs
During the RTA meeting held at the Deputy Commissioner's office, Kumara highlighted that autorickshaw fares had remained unchanged since their last revision in 2017. Over the past seven years, the district has witnessed substantial increases in essential operational costs including:
- Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) prices
- Petrol and diesel fuel costs
- Vehicle maintenance expenses
- General operational overheads
"The decision was taken in the larger interest of all stakeholders," stated Deputy Commissioner Kumara, emphasizing that the fare adjustment reflects current economic conditions while maintaining affordability for passengers.
Revised Fare Structure Details
The RTA has approved a rational revision of fares with the following key changes:
Base Fare Increase: The minimum fare for the first 1.9 kilometers has been raised from Rs 25 to Rs 30, representing a 20% increase for short-distance travel.
Distance-Based Charges: For every additional kilometer beyond the initial 1.9km, the fare has been increased from Rs 13 to Rs 15 per kilometer.
Waiting Charges: The existing waiting charge structure remains unchanged. The first five minutes of waiting time continue to be free of charge, after which passengers will be charged Rs 5 for every 15 minutes or part thereof.
Luggage Policy: Passengers can carry up to 20 kilograms of luggage free of cost. For luggage exceeding this limit, the charge has been revised from Rs 2 to Rs 5. The maximum permissible luggage weight remains capped at 50 kilograms for safety reasons.
Night Fare Structure: Between 10:00 PM and 5:00 AM, autorickshaw fares will continue to be charged at one-and-a-half times the normal fare rate, maintaining the existing safety premium for nighttime travel.
Strict Enforcement Measures
Deputy Commissioner Kumara issued a stern warning regarding fare compliance, stating that strict action will be initiated against any autorickshaw drivers who demand fares higher than those officially fixed by the RTA. This enforcement measure aims to protect passengers from potential overcharging while ensuring drivers adhere to the revised rate structure.
Key Attendees at RTA Meeting
The important RTA meeting was attended by several key officials and stakeholders including:
- Superintendent of Police Shobharani VJ
- Regional Transport Officer Hemavathi
- Office-bearers from various autorickshaw drivers' associations
The presence of police and transport officials alongside representatives from auto drivers' associations underscores the collaborative approach taken in developing this fare revision policy. The inclusion of drivers' association representatives ensures that the concerns of those operating autorickshaws were considered alongside passenger interests and regulatory requirements.
This fare revision represents the first adjustment to Mandya's autorickshaw rates in seven years and is expected to impact thousands of daily commuters while providing some relief to drivers facing increased operational costs. The balanced approach seeks to maintain the viability of autorickshaw services as an essential component of Mandya's public transportation ecosystem.
