Arbitrary Fare Hikes by Auto and E-Rickshaw Drivers in Patna; DTO Warns of Action Against Unauthorized Increases
Patna: Common commuters in the capital city of Patna are facing significant trouble due to the high-handedness of auto and e-rickshaw drivers. For the past few days, drivers on major city routes have illegally increased fares by ā¹5 to ā¹10 without any administrative authorization. Taking cognizance of the matter, the District Transport Officer (DTO) has issued a strict warning and declared that legal action will be taken against offending drivers.
Unauthorized Fare Hikes: Auto and e-rickshaw unions are charging arbitrary fares, citing rising fuel costs (petrol, diesel, CNG) and maintenance expenses.
Commuter Distress: On busy routes such as Boring RoadāRajapur, Patna JunctionāKankarbagh, and Gandhi MaidanāDanapur, passengers are being charged 15ā20% more than the standard fare.
Administrative Stance: The district administration and the transport department have clarified that any fare increase is illegal until an official notification is issued by the āFare Determination Committee.ā
| Aspect | Status |
|---|---|
| Main Complaint | Overcharging by ā¹5ā10 per passenger without government approval. |
| Administration's Stand | Increasing fares without permission is illegal; DTO has threatened strict action. |
| Driver's Argument | Difficult to operate due to rising fuel and maintenance costs. |
| Mandate | Mandatory display of route-wise fare charts on all vehicles. |
Display of Fare List: According to the Transport Office, it is mandatory for all auto and e-rickshaw operators to display the official route chart and fare list on their vehicles.
Complaint Center: The administration has appealed to passengers to report drivers who demand excessive fares to the District Transport Office or the nearest police station.
Legal Action: The DTO has warned that if any driver is found violating these rules, their permit could be canceled, and they may face heavy fines.
Currently, daily disputes are occurring between commuters and drivers in Patna regarding fares. The administration has made it clear that such arbitrary behavior will not be tolerated. However, the Fare Determination Committee also needs to find a logical solution soon so that commuters are not unnecessarily burdened, and drivers can continue their operations sustainably.
