Daily commuters in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region will need to budget more for their local travel starting next month, as fares for CNG-operated black-and-yellow taxis and auto-rickshaws are set to increase from September 1. Following approval from the Maharashtra Transport Authority, the Regional Transport Office (RTO) issued official orders confirming the rate revision. Under the updated structure, the minimum fare for black-and-yellow taxis will rise by ₹2, while auto-rickshaw commuters will see a ₹1 increase in their starting fare.
Revised Minimum and Distance Fares
According to the revised rate schedule provided by transport officials, the base fare for a black-and-yellow taxi covering the initial 1.5 kilometers will increase from ₹31 to ₹33. Beyond the base distance, the per-kilometer tariff for taxis has been raised from ₹20.66 to ₹21.90. For auto-rickshaws, the minimum fare for the first 1.5 kilometers will move up from ₹26 to ₹27. Subsequently, the per-kilometer distance rate for rickshaw rides has been revised upward from ₹17.14 to ₹18.22.
Khatua Committee Recommendations and Approval Details
The price adjustments were approved during a meeting of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Transport Authority (MMRTA), chaired by the Transport Secretary of Maharashtra. The decision to revise the fares was grounded in the recommendations submitted by a 4-member Khatua Committee. Although the proposal received approval during the authority's session last Thursday, the official minutes of the meeting were finalized on Wednesday, paving the way for the RTO to issue implementation guidelines.
Mandatory Meter Calibration and Compliance Rules
Transport officials emphasized that drivers cannot charge the updated rates until their electronic digital meters are re-calibrated to reflect the new fare structure. To complete this requirement, authorities have provided a calibration window extending from September 1 until the end of November. Drivers who fail to get their meters calibrated within this stipulated period will face departmental action and monetary penalties from enforcement authorities.
Previous Rate Hike and Driver Proficiency Checks
The last fare revision across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region took effect on February 1, 2025, when both auto-rickshaws and taxis experienced a uniform fare hike of ₹3. This latest adjustment comes after a gap of approximately 18 months. Alongside the fare adjustment, state authorities in Maharashtra are also conducting proficiency evaluations to assess the Marathi language speaking capabilities of auto-rickshaw and cab drivers operating in the region.
