PANJIM, DEC 15
Travelling by autorickshaw, taxis and motorcycles has become dearer in Goa with State Transport Department approving fare hike upto 30 per cent.
The State government through a fresh notification on Monday hiked the fare rates by almost 30 per cent, which has been implemented since December 13.
As per the new rates, people travelling by private motorcycles will have to shell out Rs 12 for the first kilometre as against earlier Rs 10 for the first three kilometres. Further Rs 4 will be added for per kilometre. At the same time, the pilots will ask for waiting charges of Rs 10 per hour or Rs 2 for each ten minutes.
In case of autorickshaw, people will have to pay Rs 13 for first one kilometre and Rs 10 for each additional kilometre. Not just this, luggage above 15 kg will be charged Rs 5 each along with waiting charges of Rs 15 per hour.
The government has also hiked fare rates for Yellow/black taxis, which will now charge Rs 14 for the first kilometre. With every additional kilometre, Rs 12 will be added along with waiting charges of Rs 25 and luggage charges of Rs 10 (above 15 kg).
Similarly, taxis with and above 1500 cc engine will charge Rs 16 and Rs 18 respectively. The additional kilometres will help them to fetch Rs 10 and Rs 15 each per kilometre, whereas; super luxury taxis will charge Rs 28 for first one kilometre, with additional Rs 22 per kilometre.
The fare rates of Maxi cabs have also been revised.
In October, the associations like All Goa Autorickshaw Association (AGAA), Taximen’s Union (TU) and All Goa Taxi Unions Association (AGTUA) had submitted their fare hike proposal to the State Transport Authority (STA).
As the rates were last hiked in 2006, the STA decided to revise the rates. Accordingly, the Transport department was asked to prepare a detailed report on diesel prices, rates of spare parts and salary structure of 2006 and 2010 of autorickshaws and taxis operators.
“The operators will have to go as per the government rates. The violators will be strictly punished,” transport director Arun Dessai said.
The State government through a fresh notification under Goa Motor Vehicles Act, last month has hiked the permit fees of all the tourist vehicles registered under various categories. However, the hiked rates were strongly objected by the vehicle operators, who have served a notice to the government asking to withdraw the notification.
