Autorickshaw fares go up

Pune June 16 Autorickshaw travel in the city will become more expensive from Wednesday. At a meeting convened by the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) and the autorickshaw unions on Monday evening, the minimum auto fare has been revised to Rs 10 for the starting kilometre, while all subsequent kilometres would be pegged at Rs 8.

Earlier, the minimum auto fares were Rs 8 for the first kilometre and Rs 6 for every subsequent kilometer, it was said in a press release.

“The RTA told us that after Monday's hike, there would be no raise for another six months, irrespective of any petrol hike. But we have not agreed to that,” said Nana Kshirsagar, president of Maharashtra Rickshaw Sena.

However, the rate fare would only hold to Rs 65 for every litre of petrol, said Baba Shinde, president of Pune City Autorickshaw Federation.

After the first hike this year in February, the auto rickshaw unions had filed the first petition with the RTO asking for a raise.

Meanwhile, in a press release, Shinde also said that commuters would be able to register complaints regarding ST, PMPML and other transport including rickshaw would be registered with the RTO every Thursday. For raising the new truck and bus terminals, they are going to find an alternative line, near the city.