Bangalore: If you take a ride on a city taxi, be prepared to pay more. For, the minimum fare has been hiked to Rs 50 from Rs 35. The per kilometre rate has gone up to Rs 12 from Rs 9.
Further, waiting charge for the first 20 minutes is free, thereafter it will be Rs 10 for every 15 minutes. If you carry 120 kg of luggage in the taxi, there will be no charge, but thereafter, charges will be at the rate of Rs 5 for every additional 20 kg.
Records indicate that when city taxis were first introduced in 1998, the minimum fare was Rs 30 for the first four km and Rs 8 for every km thereafter. This was revised in February 2001, with with minimum fare fixed at Rs 35 for the first four km and Rs 9 per km thereafter.
The City Taxi Association justified the hike, saying vehicle prices and cost of maintenance have increased.
Further, fuel prices have gone up in the past five years along with cost of living, the association said.
