J&K Govt Raises Fares by 18% for Buses, Taxis, Autos; New E-Rickshaw Rates Notified

Jammu, April 29, KNT: The Jammu and Kashmir government has approved an 18 percent hike in fares for various categories of commercial passenger vehicles across the Union Territory, according to an official notification issued by the Transport Department.

The notification, issued from the Civil Secretariat under powers conferred by the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, directs the Transport Commissioner to fix the revised maximum chargeable fares for different types of vehicles.

The fare hike applies to big buses (stage carriages), medium and mini buses, taxi and maxi cabs across various categories, including contract carriages such as Sumo, Bolero, Tavera, Scorpio, Innova, and similar vehicles.

Auto-rickshaws (petrol version) and stage carriage vehicles like Tata Magic (auto) have also been included in the 18 percent fare increase.

The government said the revised fares are over and above the rates notified earlier under SRO-97 dated March 19, 2021.

In addition to the fare hike, the government has separately fixed rates for electric transport modes.

As per the notification, e-rickshaws will charge ₹15 per kilometre, while e-autos will charge ₹25 for the first kilometre and ₹20 for each subsequent kilometre.

The order has been issued by the Transport Department through Secretary Dr. Piyush Singla, and comes as part of a revision of transport tariffs in the Union Territory.

The notification covers a wide range of public transport vehicles and is expected to impact daily commuters across urban and rural areas. [KNT]