Hyderabad: Auto fares may go up from next month

Hyderabad: The Road Transport Authority (RTA) has proposed a hike in auto fares. It is planning to send it for the government’s approval this weekend. If the proposal comes into effect, a minimum distance of 1.6 km will be charged at Rs 16 or Rs 17 (at present, it is Rs 14) and Rs 9.50 for every additional km. According to the RTA officials, they have considered auto fares in other states before arriving to the revision. They held meeting with representatives of auto unions on the issue.

Auto fares were last revised in 2010 after an increase in the prices of petrol and LPG. The Auto Drivers’ Union had served a notice on the transport department on July 19 demanding a hike in the fares. They also warned the government that if they do not consider their demands they will go on strike from August 1.

The Auto Unions’ leaders B Venkatesam, M Kamalakar Reddy, V Kiran, Mohamed Amanullah and others alleged that the government had gone back on its assurances of keeping the auto fares in consistent with the hike in petrol prices. In last 19 months, petrol prices have gone up Rs 12 a litre and Rs 5 a kg for LPG prices, they added. They said the neighbouring state Karnataka hiked its auto fares from 12 March and the minimum fare is Rs 20 there whereas Rs 11 is charged for every kilometre.

Auto fares were last revised in 2010 after an increase in the prices of petrol and LPG.

According to an official record, there are as many as 5.5 lakhs autos in the state, among them 75,500 are plying in greater Hyderabad limits.

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