Bengaluru Auto Drivers Protest Against Inadequate Rise in Fares
The city of Bengaluru woke up to a chaotic morning on August 1st, as auto-rickshaw drivers across the city staged a protest against the recent fare hike. The move, which was announced by the state government, has sparked widespread opposition from driver unions, who claim that the hike is unilateral and inadequate.
The new fare structure, which took effect from August 1st, sees a 20% increase in fares for auto-rickshaws. The new rates stand at ₹36 for the first 2 kilometers and ₹18 per kilometer thereafter. However, driver unions have demanded higher fares, stating that the fare should be raised to ₹40 for the first 2 kilometers and ₹20 for each additional kilometer.
The protest, which began early in the morning, saw auto-rickshaw drivers gathering at the city’s major bus stands and intersections, refusing to ply their vehicles and disrupting traffic in several parts of the city. The drivers, who are affiliated with various unions, chanted slogans and waved black flags, demanding that the government reconsider the new fare structure.
According to the unions, the previous fare structure was introduced in 2018, and since then, the cost of living and operating an auto-rickshaw has increased significantly. They claim that the new fare hike does not take into account the actual costs of running an auto-rickshaw, including the cost of fuel, maintenance, and other expenses.
“We are not against the fare hike, but we demand a more reasonable hike that takes into account the actual costs of running an auto-rickshaw,” said Shivanand, president of the Karnataka Auto Rickshaw Drivers’ Association. “The government has not consulted us before announcing the new fare structure, and we are forced to protest against this unilateral decision.”
The unions have also demanded that the government ensure that the new fare structure is implemented fairly across the city, and that the government takes steps to prevent exploitation of auto-rickshaw drivers by passengers.
The protest has disrupted traffic in several parts of the city, causing inconvenience to commuters. Many passengers have been forced to find alternative modes of transportation, including buses and taxis, while others have been left stranded on the roadside.
The city’s traffic police have appealed to the protesting drivers to end their strike and resume their services, assuring them that their demands will be taken into consideration by the government.
“We understand the concerns of the auto-rickshaw drivers and are willing to engage with them to find a solution,” said a traffic police official. “We urge them to end their strike and resume their services, and we will ensure that their demands are taken into consideration by the government.”
The government has faced criticism for announcing the new fare structure without consulting with the auto-rickshaw drivers or their unions. Many critics have accused the government of being insensitive to the plight of auto-rickshaw drivers, who are already struggling to make ends meet.
The protest is expected to continue until the government agrees to reconsider the new fare structure and meets the demands of the auto-rickshaw drivers. In the meantime, commuters are advised to use alternative modes of transportation and to plan their journeys accordingly.
