PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, June 11: Thousands of daily commuters in Jamshedpur will have to pay higher auto-rickshaw fares from June 12 after the Shikshit Berozgar Tempo Chalak Sanchalak Sangh announced a revision in rates across the city.
The fare hike, the first since 2021, comes amid rising fuel prices, increasing maintenance costs and shrinking earnings for auto-rickshaw operators due to growing competition on city roads.
Fare Increase of Up to ₹5 on Key Routes
Under the revised fare structure, passengers travelling on several routes from Sakchi and other major locations will have to pay up to ₹5 more per trip.
The new fare chart covers key destinations, including Mango, Kadma, Sonari, Bistupur, Adityapur, Gamharia and Kandra, and will come into effect from Friday.
Rising Costs Behind the Revision
The decision follows a period of increasing fuel prices and operational expenses for transport operators.
Retail fuel prices were revised upward in May amid a surge in global crude oil prices, leading to higher running costs for commercial vehicles. Industry observers say escalating fuel prices, maintenance expenses and the rising cost of spare parts have put considerable financial pressure on auto-rickshaw owners in recent months.
Shikshit Berozgar Tempo Chalak Sanchalak Sangh functionary Shyam Kinkar Jha said the fare revision had become necessary to help drivers manage mounting expenses.
He noted that diesel and CNG prices, along with vehicle servicing and spare parts costs, have increased significantly since the last fare revision.
Commuters Express Concern
While auto-rickshaw drivers have welcomed the fare hike, many commuters expressed concern about its impact on their monthly travel budgets.
“I travel from Mango to Sakchi every day for work. Even a small fare increase adds up over the month and affects people like us who rely on autos daily,” said office-goer Rakesh Kumar.
College student Priya Sharma said, “Transport costs are already high. Students and daily wage earners will feel the burden the most. We hope public transport services are improved as well.”
Administration Informed of New Rates
According to the union, the local administration has been informed about the revised fare structure, which will be implemented across designated routes from June 12.
The fare revision reflects the growing cost pressures faced by Jamshedpur’s auto-rickshaw operators amid changing economic conditions and rising operational expenses.