Auto rickshaws are among the most convenient and economical transport options in India—with fare calculations determined by city-specific rules. Here’s a streamlined explanation of how these meters work, followed by a detailed fare rate table for key cities.
Quick Recap: How the Meter Works
- Base Fare (Minimum Fare): Covers a fixed initial distance (e.g., 1–2 km).
- Per-Kilometer Charge: Applied after the base distance.
- Waiting Charges: For stationary periods like traffic or signals.
- Night Surcharges: Extra percentage during nighttime hours.
- Optional Fees: Luggage charges, rounding rules, etc.
City-Wise Fare Structures
| City | Base Fare | Per-km After Base | Waiting Charges | Night Surcharge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pune | ₹25 for first 1.5 km | ₹17/km | ₹25/hour (min 15 min) [range ₹0.42/min] Taxi Auto Fare+1 | 25% extra (00:00–05:00) Taxi Auto Fare |
| Delhi | ₹10 for 1 km (RTO-fix may vary) | ~₹4.50/km | ₹25/hour (min 15 min) | 25% (11 PM–5 AM) TransportinfoOlacabs Blogs |
| Bengaluru | ₹36 for first 2 km | ₹18/km | First 5 min free; ₹10 per 15 min after InstagramOlacabs Blogs | 1.5× fare (10 PM–5 AM) Olacabs BlogsInstagram |
| Mumbai | ₹26 minimum for 1.5 km | ₹17.14/km | — | — Hindustan TimesOlacabs Blogs |
| Kolkata | Not-metered; typical shared auto routes, no fixed meter fare Wikipedia | — | — | — (autos are usually not metered) |
| Kolkata (Pre-paid Taxi Booths) | ₹25 for first 2 km | ₹12/km | ₹15 for ≤8 km; ₹22 for >8 km (combined waiting) | Night fare +15% night surcharge (rounded to nearest ₹5) WBXPress |
| Chennai | Official: ₹25 for first 1.8 km | ₹12/km | ₹3.5 every 5 min or ₹42/hour Taxi Auto FareOlacabs Blogs | 50% extra (23:00–05:00) Taxi Auto Farehttps://www.oneindia.com/ |
| Chennai (Unofficial/On-ground) | ₹50 for first 1.8 km | ₹18/km | ₹1.50/min | 50% extra (11 PM–5 AM) https://www.oneindia.com/ |
Meter Calculation Examples
Pune Example
A 5 km ride with 10 minutes of waiting:
- Base fare: ₹25
- Distance fare: (5 − 1.5) × ₹17 = ₹59.5 → ₹60
- Waiting: 10 min = ₹4.17 (approx)
Estimated fare: ₹25 + ₹60 + ₹4 = ₹89
Delhi Night Ride
3 km trip (including night surcharge):
- Base fare: ₹10
- Distance fare: (3 − 1) × ₹4.50 = ₹9
- Subtotal: ₹19
- Night surcharge (25%): ₹4.75
Total fare: ₹23.75 → ~₹24
Kolkata (Auto Rickshaws)
Auto-rickshaws in Kolkata are mostly shared, route-based, and non-metered. The minimum fare is often around ₹10, set by unions rather than meters.Wikipedia
Kolkata (Pre-paid Taxis)
At airport and railway booths, pre-paid taxis follow a structured tariff:
- ₹25 for first 2 km
- ₹12 per additional km
- ₹15 (≤8 km) or ₹22 (>8 km) combined waiting
- Night surcharge 15%, rounded to ₹5 incrementsWBXPress
Chennai Split
- Official rates: ₹25 base, ₹12/km, ₹3.5 per 5 min waiting, 50% nighttime surchargeTaxi Auto FareOlacabs Blogs
- Unofficial real-world rates: Amid fare revision delays, many drivers demand ₹50 base, ₹18/km, ₹1.50/min waiting, and 50% night surcharge
City Breakdown — Insights & Observations
- Pune maintains a flat structure with minimal complexity, though app-based fare confusion persists. Drivers have been reported to refer to unverified websites like OnlyMeter, which lack RTO validation
- Delhi offers very low rates but enforces strict night surcharge and waiting penalties, encouraging quick and efficient travel
- Bengaluru fares reflect rising operational costs, featuring explicit waiting penalties and baggage rules—such structured clarity benefits both commuters and drivers.
- Mumbai fares in transition as of early 2025—updated rates reflect a small hike, and transparent rounding rules make fare calculations fairer
Tips for Readers:
- Always confirm the meter is reset before starting your trip.
- Use official fare calculators (e.g., OnlyMeter—but verify credibility).
- Report overcharging with evidence (screenshot, registration number) to local RTOs The Times of India+1.
- For common routes, calculate approximate fare in advance to avoid disputes.
