After months of speculation, the Karnataka government has decided to revise auto-rickshaw fares in Bengaluru. The base fare will increase from ₹30 to ₹36 for the first 1.9 km. For every additional kilometre, passengers will now pay ₹18 instead of the earlier ₹15.
Reliable government sources confirmed to Deccan Herald that Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy has approved the proposal forwarded by the District Transport Authority (DTA). The file is awaiting final endorsement from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, which officials expect shortly. “The decision is final and will be formally announced soon,” a source noted.
Bengaluru Urban Deputy Commissioner Jagadeesha G, who chairs the DTA, recommended the hike after a five-member panel assessed traffic patterns, passenger demand, and consulted stakeholders in March.
Driver unions, including the Auto Rickshaw Drivers’ Union (ARDU) and Adarsh Auto and Taxi Drivers’ Union (AATDU), had pushed for steeper fares of ₹40 as base and ₹20 per kilometre. However, the committee settled on a 20% increase.
Initially, the government was cautious about raising fares amid fears that affordable bike taxis would undercut auto drivers. With bike taxis officially banned from June 16, authorities decided to move forward with the revision.
Over the past 11 years, fares have been revised only twice, with the last update in November 2021.
Raghu Narayan Gowda from the Peace Auto Union expressed concerns over fare rounding and meter recalibration, which could take up to six months and complicate transactions.