Bengaluru Autorickshaw Fares Revised: Base Price Hiked To Rs 36, Check New Rates

Bengaluru’s Regional Transport Authority (RTA) has announced an upward revision in autorickshaw fares, after a gap of four years. Starting August 1, commuters will have to pay Rs 36 as the minimum fare for the first two kilometres, replacing the earlier base rate of Rs 30.

For each additional kilometre, the price has been increased to Rs 18, compared to Rs 15 per kilometre earlier.

The revised fare structure includes a 50% surcharge for night-time travel, applicable between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. Waiting charges will be waived for the first five minutes, after which commuters will be billed Rs 10 for every 15-minute block.

Under the new rules, passengers can carry up to 20 kg of baggage free of cost. For additional weight, a fee of Rs 10 will be charged for every 20 kg, or part thereof, with a cap on luggage at 50 kg. To ensure consistency in fare collection, all auto drivers have been instructed to display the revised fare chart prominently inside their vehicles. Additionally, fare meters must be recalibrated and certified by October 31, 2025.

Despite the fare revision, according to reports, several auto drivers remain unhappy. They say that the hike is insufficient given the steep rise in LPG prices, vehicle maintenance costs and day-to-day operating expenses. Many autorickshaw drivers urged the RTA to fix the minimum fare at Rs 40 and raise the per-kilometre charge to Rs 20.

On the other side, passengers continue to report issues such as refusal to go by the metre, overcharging and drivers declining rides, concerns that persist despite fare regulations.

Ride-hailing platforms like Ola, Uber and Rapido are expected to adjust their pricing models in line with the government’s latest notification. As per a Karnataka High Court directive issued in October 2022, app-based aggregators are permitted to charge up to 10% above the state-notified fare, along with a 5% GST component.

This fare revision comes amid an overall rise in transport expenses for Bengaluru residents. This includes hikes of 15% in bus fares and up to 71% in Namma Metro ticket prices recently, making daily commuting costlier for the city’s residents.