Some autorickshaw unions of Mumbai have also decided to support this strike.

Mumbai. After the local train in Mumbai, Maharashtra, the largest union of taxis, which is called the lifeline of the people, has announced to go on strike from August 1 after July 31. The Mumbai Taximen Union has called for a taxi strike on August 1 to protest against the government not taking any decision on the fare hike. The union has demanded an increase of Rs 10 in the rent from the government. That is, a demand has been made to increase the minimum fare from Rs 25 to Rs 35. According to the Times of India report, some autorickshaw unions in Mumbai have also said that they will wait for the fare hike by the government till July 31, failing which they may also support the taxis’ strike. Explain that the auto unions are expecting a hike of Rs 3 in the minimum fare. That is, the government should make the minimum fare from Rs 21 to Rs 24.

Sources said the MMRTA (Mumbai Metropolitan Region Transport Authority) is likely to hold a meeting this week to decide whether to give hike in fares to autos or not. Talking to TOI, taxi union leader AL Quadros said, “There is a great need for a hike in fares as the CNG rate has increased from Rs 48 to Rs 80 after the last fare revision in 2021.” It was recommended to the government that if the CNG is increased by more than 25% after the previous fare revision, the taxi fare should be revised immediately.

“Our demand for hike in fare is justified,” he said, adding that taxi drivers suffer a loss of Rs 300 per day due to increase in fuel prices and high maintenance cost of taxis. At the same time, Quadros also opposed the heavy fines imposed by the traffic police. He demanded, ‘Our drivers pay more fine than the day’s earning. Most of this fine is levied for parking in no-parking zones. Instead of sending e-challans to our drivers, the government should allot us more stands for parking.

Shashanka Rao-led Mumbai Autorickshawmen’s Union had recently informed TOI that their union had suggested the government to avoid fare hike by reducing CNG rates. “The government should persuade Mahanagar Gas Limited to roll back the hike in CNG prices,” he said. If the fuel price is reduced, then there will be no need to increase the fare.