Delhi auto rickshaws are likely to increase the frequency of autos at night to facilitate the commuters, following Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Vinai Kumar Saxena has given nod that more than 300 establishments in the national capital can carry on with their business on a 24X7 basis in the city.
The L-G on Sunday has allowed more than 300 establishments, including those engaged in running online shops and delivery shops, hotels, restaurants, transport facilities, logistics, and other essential commodities, to carry on with their business on a 24X7 basis in the national Capital.
Talking to The Pioneer, Delhi Auto Rickshaw Sang, General Secretary, Rajendra Soni said that the city currently has registered 95000 autos out of which 30000-40000 autos were running in the night.
“At night time, there are very less commuters in the Capital. People who want to travel to Railway stations, airports, and hospitals only travel at night by auto,†Soni said.
“After the L-G’s approval for the businesses to run in the night time also, if the number of commuters traveling in the night will increase then it will be very helpful for auto rickshaw driver’s community to earn their lively hood at the night. After the implementation and opening of the establishments on 24 hours basis, we will identify the locations and the number of autos operating at the night will also increase according to the demand in the city,†he said.
When asked whether the fare of the autos will rise in the night time, Soni stated that the fare in the night time currently is 25 per cent extra than the day time. It will remain 25 per cent hiked only not more than that and this hike will also be likely to waive off, according to the circumstances.
The fare of the auto in the national capital in the day time is Rs 25 for the first 1.5 km and after that Rs 9.5 per km. However, at the night the price gets hiked by 25 per cent.
“Apart from autos, there are 35000 cabs registered under the Delhi government out of which 10000 cabs are black and white taxis running as per the meter from the railway stations and airports and the other 25000 are running through online apps in the capital, which already operate on 24 hours basis,†he informed.
“I hope that this move of the L-G will boost the business, as it is getting very hard for the auto-rickshaw drivers to earn their day-to-day livelihood amid the increasing inflation in the country,†Soni added.
