Fare Hike to Take Effect in January; Auto-Taxi Strike Called Off

Thiruvananthapuram: The joint action committee of auto-taxi and light motor vehicle workers has conditionally withdrawn its planned strike following discussions with Transport Minister CP John.

The decision to call off the strike was taken after the meeting, during which the minister assured the representatives that all their demands would be considered and that revised fares would come into effect from January 1. He also said a commission would be appointed to study the issue.

The strike had been scheduled to begin at midnight on Wednesday and continue until midnight on Thursday.

The agitation was organised under the leadership of CITU, AITUC, HMS and KTUC, among other unions, demanding protection of the livelihoods of more than eight lakh workers.

The main demand was to increase the minimum fare to Rs 50 for the first 1.5 km and Rs 20 for every subsequent kilometre.