Auto drivers for fare hike

Auto drivers for fare hike
Decision In First Week Of July
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bangalore: With auto drivers’ unions pushing for hike in auto fares, a decision in this regard is likely to be taken in the first week of July. Two trade unions and four auto drivers’ associations met the deputy commissioner (urban district) on Saturday seeking increase in minimum fare as well as fare per km after the minimum.
“We have been demanding hike in auto fare for the past 10 days. All the auto drivers’ unions in the city met the deputy commissioner (Bangalore urban district) on Saturday. We have urged them to increase the fare from Rs 7 per km to Rs 10 per km,” said M Manjunath, president, Adarsh Auto and Taxi Drivers’ Union.
Alluding that there was no hike in fares for the past three years, he said that the cost of vehicle, tyre, insurance, maintenance and other costs had increased. The price of rice and vegetables have also shot up. “Auto drivers need a minimum wage of Rs 300 for their livelihood. But we are getting only Rs 150,” he said.
He added that the deputy commissioner is likely to take a decision on June 30 and announce it on July 1.
H Nareshgowda, president, Akshaya Auto Drivers’ Housing Cooperative Society, said the increasing cost of living has forced them to demand for a hike. “We are confident that there will be a hike in auto fares by next month,” he said.
Bangalore Urban district deputy commissioner M K Aiyappa confirmed that he had met the auto drivers’ union on Saturday. “They have sought an increase in auto fares from minimum Rs 14 to Rs 20. The committee under the chairmanship of DCP (traffic) is studying the issue. Once they submit the report, it will be discussed with the consumer organization. I will take a decision in first week of July,” Aiyappa said. There are at least 80,000 autos in Bangalore alone.