With Bengaluru’s auto rickshaw fares set to rise by 20% from August 1, several driver unions have declared they will boycott the hike, urging members not to recalibrate their meters until the government reconsiders its decision. Approximately 50,000 drivers are expected to participate in the protest, out of the city’s 3.6 lakh registered autos.
The District Transport Authority has approved a new base fare of ₹36 for the first 2 km and ₹18 for each additional kilometre—up from the current ₹30 plus ₹15/km rate in place since 2021.
However, unions have labelled the fare hike “unscientific” and “insufficient” in accounting for rising living costs. “We’ve written to the chief secretary and Bangalore Urban DC, but there has been no response,” said D Rudramurthy, general secretary of the Auto Rickshaw Drivers’ Union (ARDU).
Drivers are demanding a revised base fare of ₹40 and ₹20 per km, citing issues with exact change due to a decline in UPI transactions. “We need rounded-off fares,” stressed C Sampath of Adarsha Auto Union.
Meanwhile, the legal metrology department awaits official instructions on how to begin the meter recalibration process. “It’s a complex and time-consuming task,” said a senior official.
Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy stated that the new fare structure was decided after detailed analysis and will not be revised. A senior RTO officer warned that drivers refusing to comply could risk losing fitness certificates or permits, adding that enforcement will be coordinated with traffic police and district authorities.