according to a transport expert the fare hike could lead to a drop in ridership of autos and taxis in mumbai if commuters have second thoughts on paying 1416 more faresmumbai kaalipeeli taxis and autorickshaws will be able to charge the revised fares only after their electronic meters are recalibrated the entire process will take up to three months and by the first week of june almost every auto and taxi will display revised fares on the meter state transport commissioner avinash dhakne said this means there could be long queues of autostaxis at rtos for the stamp and seal on meters and repairers will also make a quick buck sources said advt the new auto and taxi fares will be applicable in mumbai thane navi mumbai kalyan vasaivirar and panvel the fare for share autos and taxis will also rise by a rupee minimum rs 8 for autos will increase to rs 9 per passenger although they are not permitted now as per covid normswhen asked whether the hike will pinch the common mans pocket who is still reeling under the lockdown effects transport minister anil parab said the department has tried to extend relief to most sectors like a rebate in road tax for commercial vehicles but taxi and auto drivers did not get any relief since they are also a part of our workforce we have to extend relief to them too he saidseveral citizens were not happy with the fare hike this is yet another price hike for mumbaikars after the recent increase in petrol diesel cng lpg and domestic piped gas rates why is the government burdening us with these hikes asked vaishnavi krishnan who regularly commutes by auto from her home to thane stationmumbai autorickshawmens union leader shashank rao while welcoming the hike said the state should also provide financial assistance to drivers hit hard due to the lockdown a l quadros from mumbai taximens union said several drivers will get relief as the hike will increase their earnings his union had twice demanded a minimum fare of rs 25 advt according to a transport expert the fare hike could lead to a drop in ridership of autos and taxis in mumbai if commuters have second thoughts on paying 1416 more fares this could also increase ridership in the red buses he added at present the best bus is the cheapest mode of transport which offers a ride up to 5 km for rs 5 in an ac bus the same ride would be for rs 6 as compared to rs 70 in an auto if the revised fare is taken into account said yogesh khare who commutes by train and then takes an auto or bus to work at andheri people would not mind waiting for a bus than pay 16 more to the auto driver for daily travel by somit sen bhavika jain tnn published on feb 23 2021 at 1020 am ist telegram facebook copy link be the first