Mumbai: Cabbies demand fare hike as CNG rate up twice in 10 days

Cabbies say Covid-19 has battered them and they can’t bear more losses

City's kaali-peeli cab drivers on Thursday night sought a hike of Rs 2 in the minimum fare with immediate effect after the prices of CNG went up twice in 10 days. The taxi drivers said they are losing about Rs 60 a day with the existing fare structure in which the base fare is R25. Taxi trade unions have now approached the state government seeking urgent intervention.

The price of compressed natural gas (CNG) was first raised from Rs 51.98 to Rs 54.57 per kg on October 4. It then went up to Rs 57.54 per kg from Thursday midnight, said Anthony L Quadros, general secretary of Mumbai Taximen Union. "We strongly protest against the increase in the price of CNG by Mahanagar Gas Ltd. which is supplying the fuel in Mumbai. Due to this increase of Rs 5.56 per kg in CNG price, taxi operators are losing Rs 60 per day," he said. Quadros has made a representation to Ashok Kumar Singh, Maharashtra's additional chief secretary of transport, to revise the minimum fare by Rs 2 for black and yellow taxis with immediate effect.

Taxis wait for CNG outside a fuel station at Wadala. File pic

Taxi driver Ram Narayan Sharma said hundreds of cabbies like him were forced to go to their villages due to the lockdown. His taxi remained parked at Lower Parel for many months. "I had to spend a lot to restore it after returning. The business is slowly recovering, but CNG price hikes will lead to more losses. Aggregators have already killed the kaali-peelis. If a fare adjustment is given, we will be able to float," he said.

The minimum fare of these cabs was revised from Rs 22 to Rs 25 from March 1 as per the Khatua Committee formula which had recommended telescopic fare for taxis - increase in journey length would attract a discount in fares. This hike came after six years. Transport department officials said it would be difficult to comment on the demand though they will explore all possible options to address the issue.

Users said any hike in taxi fare will another burden. "Is it necessary to push every hike onto the consumer? The natural gas price hike will also lead to a rise in domestic gas prices and now if the cabs and other public transport modes are also given a hike, where should the common man go? After cabs, every other public transporter will start asking for such a rise. It is highly unfair," said Malini Rai, a lecturer.

Rs 5.56
Increase in CNG prices since Oct 1

Rs 25
Minimum fare for black and yellow taxis