Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner on Friday decided to reduce the auto rickshaw fares here in the city with the effect from Monday, January 12, after holding a discussion with the members of rickshaw drivers and owners association along with the general public.
Initially, the owners association refused to budge. One of their representatives said, “We cannot reduce the fares, unless prices of all necessities come down, such as food, commodities, maintenance expenses and insurance. The reduction in prices of diesel, petrol and LPG will not profit us, since all the daily expenses are high”, he added.

Another auto rickshaw owner asked the district administration to reduce fares after two months. He said, “When the prices of fuel went up in the past, the deputy commissioner was not ready to hike auto rickshaw fares for sixth months. We did suffer losses in the past. Hence, the authority should reduce the fares only after two months”, he added.

“Since, no other districts have reduced auto rickshaw fares, we should wait”, another representative said. In reply, DC said that we can be the first district to reduce the price and be a role model to other districts.

Hanumanth Kamath, public representative said that the auto rickshaw owners must reduce the fares as it will burden the poor and the middle class. He said by reducing the price, the owners will be helping the working class and not the rich, who use their vehicle.

Finally, the deputy commissioner directed that the auto rickshaw fares will be reduced to Rs 20 as minimum fare and Rs 13 for every one kilometer. The order will come into effect from Monday, January 12.