Mumbai Taxi and Auto-Rickshaw Fares Set to Rise in February 2025
Starting February 1, 2025, commuters in Mumbai will experience a rise in taxi and auto-rickshaw fares following approval from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Transport Authority (MMRTA). The decision to hike fares comes as a response to rising vehicle prices, the consumer index, and loan interest rates, all of which have contributed to the increased operational costs of these modes of transport.
The fare adjustments will see taxi fares increase from Rs 18.66 to Rs 20.66 per kilometre, with the minimum fare also rising from Rs 28 to Rs 31. Auto-rickshaw fares will similarly increase, moving from Rs 15.33 to Rs 17.14 per kilometre, and the minimum fare will climb from Rs 23 to Rs 26. The most significant rise will affect “Coolcab” services, where fares will jump by 20%, from Rs 26.71 to Rs 37.2 per kilometre, and the minimum fare will rise from Rs 40 to Rs 48. These changes, according to the MMRTA, reflect adjustments to meet the cost pressures faced by drivers and service providers. To implement the fare hikes, the MMRTA has mandated that all drivers recalibrate their meters between February 1 and April 30, 2025. Until this process is completed, drivers are required to display an official revised tariff card that reflects the new fare rates.
The fare hike follows the formula proposed by the Khatua Committee and adopted by the government in March 2020, which aims to ensure that the cost of transport remains aligned with inflationary trends in the market. In addition to the fare hike, the MMRTA has also approved the renewal of licenses for 1,850 Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) buses, which will further improve connectivity. The authority has also announced plans for the construction of new infrastructure, including two new taxi stands, 68 auto-rickshaw stands, and nine shared auto-rickshaw stands, in a bid to enhance last-mile connectivity and ease congestion. This increase in fares is expected to ease the operational burden on Mumbai’s taxi and auto-rickshaw services while contributing to the development of the city’s transport infrastructure.
