Telangana Auto Fares | Hyderabad, Oct 2 (Maxim News): Auto-rickshaw passengers in Telangana may have to pay higher fares under a proposed revision aimed at addressing rising fuel, maintenance and operating costs.
A government-appointed committee has recommended increasing the minimum auto fare to ₹30 for the first 1.6 km, from the existing ₹20. The proposed fare for every subsequent kilometre is ₹14, compared with the current ₹11.
The recommendations were submitted to the Telangana government after the committee examined the existing fare structure, operating costs and auto fares in other states.
Telangana Auto Fares | Proposed Auto Fare Structure in Telangana
Under the proposed structure, passengers would pay ₹30 for the first 1.6 km. Each additional kilometre would attract a charge of ₹14.
The committee has also recommended a waiting or detention charge of 75 paise per minute when an auto remains stationary because of traffic or other reasons.
For night journeys, the proposed fare would be 1.5 times the normal fare, amounting to an additional 50 per cent. The higher rate would apply between 11 pm and 5 am.
The proposed revision also covers luggage. Small permitted luggage such as briefcases and handbags would remain exempt, while a charge of 50 paise per luggage package has been recommended for luggage beyond the permitted limit.
The maximum permissible passenger luggage under the proposed structure has been fixed at 100 kg.
Why Are Auto Fares Being Revised?
The committee cited higher vehicle acquisition and financing costs, fuel prices, insurance, tyres, batteries, servicing and repair expenses among the factors behind the proposed revision.
It estimated the operating cost of an autorickshaw at around ₹13.53 per revenue-earning kilometre and recommended rounding this to ₹14 for the revised fare structure.
The existing Telangana auto fares were fixed in 2014 and have remained unchanged for more than 12 years, according to the committee’s recommendations.
The panel also considered traffic conditions, waiting time, driver earnings and rising living costs while working out the proposed fares.
The fare revision is part of wider discussions between the government and auto workers’ representatives over the welfare and livelihood of drivers.
The government has also been considering an Auto Workers’ Welfare Board, an aggregator policy and financial assistance for retrofitting petrol and diesel autos.
For passengers, the proposed revision would increase the cost of short-distance journeys if approved. For drivers, the revision is intended to reflect the higher cost of operating and maintaining autorickshaws.
The proposed fares will take effect only after the Telangana government issues a final decision or notification. (Maxim News)
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