The revised fares for autorickshaws and black-and-yellow taxis came into effect on February 1, but the process of recalibrating meters to reflect the new rates has yet to begin. As per the guidelines issued by the State Transport Department, only vehicles displaying the official tariff cards or using recalibrated meters will be allowed to charge the updated fares.
The fare revision, announced in the last week of January, increased the base fare for autorickshaws from ₹23 to ₹26 and for black-and-yellow taxis from ₹28 to ₹31, marking a ₹3 hike in both cases. To bridge the gap until meters are updated, the Transport Department has issued QR code-based tariff cards, which drivers must display.
Autorickshaw union leader Thampy Kurian confirmed that while recalibration has not yet begun, the process will commence soon. "The government has set a three-month deadline for recalibrating all meters. Until then, drivers are permitted to charge revised fares using the official tariff cards," he said.
Meanwhile, the recalibrations process has sparked concerns among meter repairers, who argue that the government’s fixed rate of Rs 700 per meter—which includes the cost of a programmed chip and testing charges—is financially unviable. "If we follow the government’s pricing, we will incur losses," said a repairer, adding that market rates for recalibration are significantly higher.
Commuters, on the other hand, are advised to verify the tariff cards before paying revised fares. Transport officials have warned that any driver found overcharging beyond the approved rates will face penalties. The department has urged passengers to report discrepancies via the official transport helpline.
