Mumbai: Taxi And Auto Rickshaw Fares To Rise From February 1; Check Updated Price List

Mumbaikars will have to shell out more for autorickshaw and taxi rides starting from February 1, as the State Transport Department has decided to hike fares by Rs 3 in the basic fare, following approval from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Transport Authority (MMRTA).

"The new basic fare for autorickshaws will be ₹26, up from ₹23, while for black-and-yellow taxis, it will increase to ₹31 from the current ₹28 " said an official of the State Transport Department on Friday.

"The fare for blue-and-silver AC Cool Cabs will now start at ₹48, compared to the current ₹40 for the first 1.5 kilometers. Additionally, beyond the 1.5 km basic fare, the per-kilometer charges will also rise. The per-kilometer fare for black-and-yellow taxis will increase to ₹20.66, up from ₹18.66" he said.

Apart from that Cool Cab users will face an almost 20% increase in per-kilometer charges, with fares rising to ₹37.20 from the existing ₹26.71. Similarly, the per-kilometer fare for autorickshaws after 1.5 km will increase to ₹17.14 from ₹15.33.

The State Transport Department has instructed that vehicle meters must be recalibrated between February 1, 2025, and April 30, 2025. During this period, the revised tariff card will remain valid.

The decision was approved in an MMRTA meeting on Thursday. 

"The hike aims to address rising operational costs, including increased vehicle expenses, changes in the Consumer Price Index, and higher interest rates on vehicle loans." read the statement issued by state transport department.

According to an official, the revised fares will apply to all black-and-yellow CNG taxis and autorickshaws within the MMRTA's jurisdiction.

As per the unions, there are currently over 20,000 black-and-yellow taxis operating in Mumbai, while the number of autorickshaws in the MMR region is around 4.5 lakh. However, according to RTO records, the actual number of vehicles is significantly higher.

"The fare hike will disproportionately affect middle-class commuters... the increased transportation costs might lead to higher prices for goods and services. Small businesses & daily wage workers might see their expenses increase, affecting their livelihoods. Overall, the fare hike will have far-reaching consequences for citizens and various sectors in Mumbai. Taxis and auto-rickshaws will become unaffordable, and with the BEST fleet shrinking, citizens will face a dilemma from all sides. There's a need for public consultation before such decisions are made. Citizens are the major stakeholders," said Mohammed Afzal, Transport Expert.

"Keeping in mind the huge number of auto-rickshaws in the MMR region, we need at least four months' time for meter recalibration," said Thampy Kurien, the rickshaw union leader.

New Taxi and Autorickshaw Stands

To improve last-mile connectivity, the MMRTA has approved two new black-and-yellow taxi stands, 68 new autorickshaw stands, and nine new shared autorickshaw stands across the region. These changes aim to enhance services for commuters while addressing the operational challenges faced by public transport operators in the MMR.

Additionally, the MMRTA has approved the renewal of six stage carriage permits for the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking, covering 1,850 buses under Section 89 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

Revised Fare Structure:

Black-and-Yellow CNG Taxis

Minimum Fare (First 1.5 km): Increased from ₹28 to ₹31.

Fare per Kilometer: Raised from ₹18.66 to ₹20.66.

Cool Cabs

Minimum Fare (First 1.5 km): Increased from ₹40 to ₹48.Fare per Kilometer: Hiked from ₹26.71 to ₹37.20 (20% increase).

CNG Auto Rickshaws

Minimum Fare (First 1.5 km): Increased from ₹23 to ₹26.Fare per Kilometer: Raised from ₹15.33 to ₹17.14.