Patna: Auto-rickshaw and e-rickshaw drivers in the city have unilaterally raised fares by Rs 5 on several key routes without official approval from the transport department, citing rising fuel costs, inflation and delays in a pending government decision on fare revision.
They are charging the higher fares from commuters on seven major routes, including those linking Gandhi Maidan with Danapur, Ashiana Mor and Digha, as well as the stretch between Patna Junction and Patna City.
Auto unions said they had submitted a proposal to the state government and held discussions with the transport minister, pointing out that fares have not been officially revised since 2013 despite increasing operational costs. However, they indicated that drivers felt compelled to adjust fares in view of sustained financial pressure.
Raj Kumar Jha, general secretary of Bihar State Auto Chalak Sangh, said the increase covered a limited number of routes. “The increase works out to around 15-20% on the major routes. We recently held talks with transport department officials and submitted our demand, but the revised fares have not yet been officially notified. Drivers depend entirely on this occupation for their livelihood, and rising costs have made it difficult to continue at the existing rates,” he said.
Pappu Yadav, president of Patna District Auto Rickshaw Chalak Sangh, said the unions were still awaiting a formal response from the department. “We have also received complaints from passengers about drivers charging higher fares without any official notification. We understand their concerns, but inflation affects drivers as well, and many feel they have no option but to seek a fare increase,” he said.
A senior official of the Bihar Regional Transport Authorities, requesting anonymity, said no fare hike has been approved so far. The district administration had earlier warned that any increase without approval from the divisional-level fare determination committee would not be permitted.
Passengers have expressed concern over the additional burden and lack of clarity. Ruhi Singh, a Mokama resident preparing for the BPSC examination, said the increase was affecting her daily budget. “I travel between Rajapur and Gandhi Maidan for coaching classes. A Rs 5 increase each way means I spend Rs 10 extra every day. Over a month, that compounds to Rs 300, which is significant for students living on limited budgets,” she said.
Another commuter, Ramesh Kumar, said the absence of an official notification was creating confusion. “When passengers ask drivers about the fare increase or request proof of any official order, arguments often follow. We only want clarity on what the approved fare is. In the absence of checks, some drivers are charging different amounts, making it difficult for passengers to know what they should actually pay,” he said.
