Mangaluru (TOI): Auto rickshaw ride in this coastal city is all set to pinch your pockets from this Makara Sankranti day. Regional Transport Authority, Dakshina Kannada district taking note of plea by auto rickshaw drivers to upwardly revise the fare on November 17 last, has done so with immediate effect pegging minimum fare at Rs 25 for first 1.5-kms and Rs 13 for every kilometer thereafter. The current rate is Rs 23 for first 1.5-kms and Rs 13 for every kilometer thereafter.

Auto rickshaw drivers at the November meeting convened by RTA had demanded Rs 25 for first 1.5-kms and Rs 14 for every kilometer thereafter. The existing fare is as per revision carried out on March 1, 2015. Incidentally, DC A B Ibrahim, who is also the chairman of the authority at the meeting had sought a week's time to examine their demands. However, the decision was deferred till such time that elections to state legislative council were over due to code of conduct.

The waiting charge for the first 15 minutes will be free and has been fixed at 25 per cent of the travel fare for waiting for next 45 minutes. Passengers will be allowed to carry luggage free up to 20-kgs and for every additional weight of 20 kg, they will have to pay Rs 2. The drivers can collect one-and-half of meter reading from 10pm and 5am. The auto rickshaw drivers should display the revised rate cards at a prominent place in the vehicle for passengers to see.

Auto rickshaws that have obtained permit to operate within Mangaluru City Corporation limits can collect 1.5-times the fare for a destination outside the city corporation limits from where the civic body's limit ends. This rate applies to all auto rickshaws operating in the district and the auto rickshaw drivers have 60-days to re-calibrate their digital fare meters from the department of legal metrology. For complaints of excess fare, call 1088 or sms to 9481802019.