Overview
- The Home Department issued G.O. Ms. No. 366 on Oct 27 that fixes the minimum fare at ₹50 for the first 1.8 kilometres and ₹25 for each additional kilometre.
- The order prescribes special rates and add-ons: ghat trips at a base of ₹60 and ₹30 per km, night fares at 1.5 times between 10 pm and 5 am, and waiting charges of Re 1 per minute.
- The notification, issued under Section 67(1) of the Motor Vehicles Act, supersedes the 2013 and 2014 fare orders and instructs the State Transport Authority and Regional Transport Authorities to implement the new structure.
- Auto drivers and unions welcomed the hike as relief from rising fuel, insurance and maintenance costs but pressed the state for complementary measures such as subsidies for fitness-certificate renewals, festival bonuses, and limits on the free bus travel scheme for women.
- This is the first statewide fare revision in 13 years and it will raise first- and last-mile costs for commuters while the exact start date and operational rollout remain to be set by local transport authorities.