Latest news with #RegionalTransportAuthority
Time of India
16 hours ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Motorists fume as RTA drives up service charges
Applicants attempting to book slots for various transactions at the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) woke up to a rude shock on Sunday as they found a sudden hike in charges across several services. The revision kicked in at 2 am. The new rate-card shows that RTA has revised fees anywhere from ₹100 to ₹1,000 - with a fourfold jump in rates for a no-objection certificate (NOC). Available for ₹100 until now, every NOC will now cost a motorist ₹435. The cost for terminating vehicle agreements for four-wheelers has also been substantially increased from ₹2,135 to ₹3,135. Even commonly availed costs, right from learners' licence to vehicle hypothecation, have been brought under the new price umbrella. Motorists applying for any licence will have to cough up an additional ₹100. The only exemptions: Permits, vehicle fitness assessments, taxes on vehicles from other states, permit cancellations, life taxes, and quarterly taxes. 10k applicants to be impacted This revision - brought in three years after a hike on life taxes - is likely to impact at least 10,000 daily applicants at all RTA offices across the state. In 2022, the Telangana govt had raised life taxes under the Telangana Motor Vehicles Taxation Act, 1963, with increases ranging from 9% to 19% based on vehicle cost and category. Many applicants, while ruing the sharp rise, also complained about the current revision being implemented surreptitiously without prior public announcement or notification. In fact, the RTA website: is yet to be updated with these new charges. Speaking to TOI, some said that they realised that the fees had been hiked only when they went to their RTA office to avail of a service. "I tried to secure a learner's licence slot two days ago, when the fee displayed was ₹450. However, I encountered technical issues and couldn't complete the booking. When I tried again on Sunday, I was surprised to see that the total amount had risen to ₹550, with the service charge component having increased from ₹100 to ₹200," said K Venkatesh, an applicant from Uppal. Move to increase revenue, says RTA RTA officials said that the revision was aimed at enhancing revenue. "Only service charges, which have remained unchanged for several years, have been increased. However, we need to monitor the situation for at least one month to assess how these increased charges contribute to revenue enhancement," MM Chandrasekhar Goud, joint transport commissioner (IT & Vigilance), told TOI. Sources, on the other hand, hinted at the move being designed to accommodate tax exemptions being offered to EV buyers. Incidentally, since the Telangana govt implemented its EV policy on Nov 16, 2024, ₹400 crore (approx) tax has been exempted through sales of more than 50,000 EVs. "The govt's actions are unfair, as they offer complete tax relief to electric vehicles while parallelly raising service charges," said M Dayanand, general secretary, Telangana Auto and Motor Welfare Union."The facilities at their offices lack essential amenities for the public, and applicants are forced to wait in long queues for their turn. It is disappointing that despite these ongoing service deficiencies, the RTA has implemented increased service charges. I urge the govt authorities to reinstate the previous fee structure, in the interest of the public.">
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First Post
7 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
Pakistan bans night travel from Punjab to Balochistan over 'security' concerns
The district administration of Dera Ghazi Khan has issued a circular prohibiting traffic from crossing into Pakistan-administered Balochistan after 5 pm. All vehicles will now be able to enter or leave the province only in daylight hours read more Pakistan will no longer allow private or public vehicles to enter Balochistan at night to prevent any 'untoward incident', as the situation in the region remains tense. The district administration of Dera Ghazi Khan has issued a circular prohibiting traffic from crossing into Pakistan-administered Balochistan after 5 pm. All vehicles will now be able to enter or leave the province only in daylight hours. 'The protection of citizens' lives and property is the top priority, and security measures are being made more effective and comprehensive,' Deputy Commissioner and Chairman Regional Transport Authority Muhammad Usman Khalid said, according to Dawn. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What other measures have been imposed? In addition to the nighttime travel ban, a formal notification detailed several other safety protocols. Authorities will record video footage of drivers and passengers on all public transport vehicles at bus terminals prior to departure. Vehicles will also operate under tight security, moving in protected convoys. The directive further requires all public transport vehicles to be equipped with active CCTV cameras, GPS tracking systems, and emergency panic alarms to enable a rapid response in case of any crisis. Balochistan on boil The region has been making news for quite some time as isolated cases of violence surface from Balochistan, with the Pakistan government expressing concern over the situation. Last weekend, a deadly armed conflict exploded in Pakistan's Chaman, killing 7 people and injuring over 12 others. The clashes broke out between two opposing groups in Balochistan. Meanwhile, last week, authorities recovered the bullet-riddled bodies of nine bus passengers who were kidnapped by insurgents during a series of attacks in the province. The separatist Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) claimed responsibility, accusing the victims, identified as labourers, of spying for Pakistani intelligence agencies. Baloch separatists, long demanding a larger share of regional resources, have previously targeted individuals from the eastern province of Punjab in similar killings.
Time of India
18-07-2025
- Time of India
Now, pay Rs 10/person for first 2km tour by e-rickshaw
I ndore: The fare structure for e-rickshaws operating in Indore city, specifically those with a seating capacity of 4+1 passengers or more, was officially determined on Friday. The decision was taken following an order issued by Regional Transport Authority (RTA). Under the new fare guidelines, e-rickshaws with a passenger seating capacity of four or more will charge Rs 10 per passenger for the first two kilometre or any part thereof. Subsequently, for every additional kilometre or part of a kilometre, the fare will be Rs 5 per passenger. Regional Transport Authority secretary Pradeep Kumar Sharma has instructed all e-rickshaw operators to adhere strictly to the approved fare rates when collecting charges from passengers. The new rates came into effect immediately. The authority announced the fare system for e-rickshaws as there were demands to fix it to avoid inconvenience to passengers and any disputes with drivers.
Hans India
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- Hans India
Bengaluru Auto-Rickshaw Fares Increased from August 1 New Rates Announced
The Regional Transport Authority (RTA) of Bangalore Urban District has increased auto-rickshaw fares within BBMP limits. The new rates will begin from August 1, 2025. The minimum fare for the first 2 km has gone up from Rs 30 to Rs 36. After 2 km, the fare will be Rs 18 per km, instead of Rs 15 earlier. A night fare of 50% extra will apply between 10 pm and 5 am. All auto meters must be re-verified and updated with the new fares by October 31. This hike comes after repeated demands from auto-rickshaw drivers. However, some drivers are still unhappy, as they had asked for a Rs 40 base fare and Rs 20 per km after that. If drivers follow the meter, the new fares may help commuters. But many worry that unhappy drivers may refuse to use meters and continue to charge high, unfair prices.
Indian Express
15-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Autorickshaw fares hiked in Bengaluru after 4 years; new rates effective from August 1
After a gap of four years, autorickshaw fares in the city are set to go up as the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) in Bengaluru Urban district has announced a revised fare structure which will come into effect on August 1. As per the revised rates, minimum fare for the first 2 km has been increased from Rs 30 to Rs 36. For every subsequent kilometre, passengers will now have to pay Rs 18, up from the earlier Rs 15. Night fares — applicable between 10 pm and 5 am — will be 1.5 times the regular rate. Waiting charges too have been revised, with the first five minutes remaining free. Beyond that, a fee of Rs 10 will be charged for every 15 minutes of waiting. In terms of baggage, up to 20 kg is allowed free of cost. An additional Rs 10 will be charged for every 20 kg or part thereof, with the maximum baggage limit capped at 50 kg, officials said. The RTA has made it mandatory for all autorickshaw drivers to prominently display the revised fare chart inside their vehicles. Drivers are also required to have their fare meters re-calibrated and stamped with the updated tariff by October 31. This is the first revision in autorickshaw fares since November 2021 when the base fare was increased from Rs 25 to Rs 30 and the per-kilometre charge from Rs 13 to Rs 15. Before that, fares were last changed in 2013. The latest revision follows repeated appeals from autorickshaw unions, which have cited rising fuel prices, higher maintenance costs, and inflation as reasons why the earlier fares were no longer sustainable. However, many drivers have expressed disappointment with the RTA's decision, saying their demand for a Rs 40 base fare and Rs 20 per kilometre was not met. At the same time, passenger complaints over drivers refusing meter fares, overcharging, or denying rides continue to persist. With the fare revision, aggregator platforms like Uber, Ola, and Rapido are also expected to revise their pricing. As per a Karnataka High Court order in October 2022, app-based autorickshaw services are allowed to charge only up to 10 percent above the government-fixed fare, plus 5 percent GST. The fare hike comes amid a broader increase in commuting costs across Bengaluru. In recent months, city bus fares were raised by 15 per cent, while Namma Metro ticket prices saw a steep hike of up to 71 per cent, making daily travel more expensive for commuters.
