Autorickshaw Fare Hiked After 4 Years; Waiting Charge Also Increased- Here’s What Commuters Will Pay From August 1 News24 –

Bengaluru’s Regional Transport Authority (RTA) has increased auto rickshaw fares for the first time in nearly four years. The increased auto rickshaw fares will apply within the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) limits, effective from August 1, 2025.

Increased Rates!

As per the latest guidelines, the minimum fare for the first two kilometres has seen a 20 per cent increase. The rate went from Rs 30 to Rs 36. Beyond 2 km, passengers will be charged Rs 18 per additional kilometre, a 20 per cent rise from the earlier Rs 15. A night fare surcharge of 50 per cent on the regular fare will also be applicable from August 1. This charge will apply between 10 pm and 5 am. The new tariff will make passengers pay 1.5 times the regular fare.

Other Changes

The Regional Transport Authority has also ordered meter re-verification. The authority has said that all auto-rickshaw meters must be re-verified and stamped by October 31. The meters should also display the updated fares. The waiting charges have also been updated. The first five minutes of waiting will be free, after that Rs 10 will be charged for each subsequent 15-minute interval.

Luggage weighing up to 20 kg is free, while every extra 20 kg will incur a Rs 10 charge. This extra will be capped at 50 kg.

Why The Hike?

Auto-rickshaw drivers have been demanding a hike in the base fare for a long time. However, the drivers’ union is not satisfied with the recent fare revision. They had proposed a base fare of ₹40 and ₹20 for each additional kilometre, which has not been fully accepted.

Some unions, dissatisfied with the fare hike, have threatened further protests, viewing the increase as insufficient. Commuters expressed mixed reactions. Some consider the auto fare hike logical, given past increases in metro and bus fares, while others highlighted auto drivers’ non-compliance with meter rates.