New Auto Fares :: Mumbaiites Need To Know

Yes! The Auto fares have been hiked and this change has been approved by the Bombay High Court (source: DNA). The change is already in effect from August 20, 2014 and the autos have 45 days to make the legitimate changes to their meter.

Be Cautious

• The new total should not be too big. The new rates will should give you a change of only about Rs. 5-10. If you see more, there is a chance you are being taken for a toss.
• Not all autos have changed the meters yet and might still demand a charge as per the new card rate (around 10% more). SIMPLY SAY NO! As per the law you will pay only what the meter says.

Know The New Rates

The meters might be tampered. The best way out is Check the distance mentioned by the meter - you should have an idea how far you are travelling. There is also a Waiting Time mentioned in the meter - the first 15 mins is FREE. Now with these two readings, you can calculate an approximate total. Official Rates as mentioned below: 

Read It Right:

With earlier rates: I travel about 4.5 kms every morning by auto for work. I am sure of this distance after checking the regular meter readings over time and have also cross checked with Google maps. The auto fare used to come up to around Rs.45 to Rs.50 - depending on minor discrepancies and potholes.

With the new rate: I was surprised to see the spike in the total by Rs. 20. So here is how the calculation goes:

Total Distance: 4.5kms (refer left Red box)

First 1.5kms... charged at Rs.17

The next 3kms... charged at Rs. 9.87...totals to Rs. 29.61

Total travel cost = Rs.46.61 (i.e. 17+29.61)

Now there was a waiting time of 17 mins involved (refer right Red box). The first 15 mins is not chargeable. I was just in the range with 17 mins and hence had to shell out extra Rs. 25. This takes my Grand total to Rs. 71.61.

I actually got a discount of about Rs.2. :)

In Case of Emergency:

• Mumbai RTO Complaint Tollfree Number: 1800-22-0110
• Thane Tollfree Number: 1800-22-5335

More Specific: RTO Complain Numbers

• Tardeo: 23532337, 23534600; email: mh01@mahatranscom.in 
• Andheri: 26366957, 26362252; email: mh02@mahatranscom.in
• Wadala: 24935857; email: mh03@mahatranscom.in 
• Thane: 25343580, 25363838; email: mh04@mahatranscom.in 
• Vashi: 27650701, 27840702; email: mh43@mahatranscom.in

Travel Safe, Be Safe.

@vaimasters