Amidst the coronavirus induced lockdown in Mumbai, several rickshaws and taxi drivers had demanded rent from the state government due to the loss in income along with the non-increase in fares for the last several years.
Anil Parab, Transport Minister, had assured the unions that the matter would be considered regarding the same. As of now, the current fares for a rickshaw ride is ₹18 for the first 2 kms, whereas for a taxi it is ₹22. In June 2015, taxi fares were increased by ₹1. Therefore, the fare had gone up from ₹21 to ₹22.
According to Hakim Samiti, several passengers and travel associations protested with regards to increasing the fares. Moreover, a one-member Khatua committee was then recommended, However, no decision was taken on rickshaw-taxi fares.
While the rickshaw-taxi associations were constantly corresponding with the transport department regarding the fare hike, they also met the Transport Minister, Secretary and Transport Commissioner. According to Transport Minister Parab, if the fare is increased as per the demand of rickshaw-taxi drivers, it will hit ordinary passengers. Due to the closure of local services as a result of the pandemic, ordinary passengers are travelling by rickshaws and cabs. Therefore, a sudden hike can be problematic for the commuters.
On the other hand, the transport wing of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) had earlier taken an initiative to provide relief to rickshaw drivers in Mumbai who are facing a financial crisis. As per reports, intervention by the MNS had forced Bajaj Finance to provide financial relief to its 1,19,743 auto-rickshaw loan customers. in addition, the senior officials of the company had handed over a written scheme to provide for the same.
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