Delhi auto-rickshaw, taxi fares up by 25 percent

Delhiites would soon have to pay more for commuting in auto-rickshaws as the Delhi government Wednesday approved a proposal for a 25 percent hike in CNG-run auto-rickshaw and taxi fare in the capital.

While the minimum fare for the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powered auto-rickshaws has been increased from the current Rs.19 to Rs.25 for the first two km, the subsequent fare for each kilometre will be Rs.8 instead of the current Rs.6.50.

For a 10-km journey in an auto-rickshaw, a commuter will now have to pay Rs.109, which was Rs.71 earlier.

"A committee was set up to look at fares of auto-rickshaws and taxis. We looked at the report and decided to hike fares by 25 percent for each slab for auto-rickshaws and taxis," said Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit after a cabinet meeting.

She added that "there is no possibility of another hike in the near future".

The increase in the fares is an offshoot of a spate of strikes by auto-rickshaw and taxi unions that had been demanding a fare hike in the wake of up to 40 percent rise in CNG rates between 2010 and 2013.

For black and yellow taxis, a commuter will have to shell out Rs.25 for the first two kilometres, up from the current Rs.20.

"For non-air-conditioned taxis, commuters will have to pay Rs.14 per km instead of the existing Rs.11. As for the air-conditioned taxis, one will have to pay Rs.16 per km instead of Rs.13," a Delhi government official said.

The new rates would come into effect after a formal notification expected Thursday.

The Delhi government last raised the fares of auto-rickshaws and taxis in June 2010.