Bengaluru: The Karnataka Government yesterday increased the minimum fares for all app-hailed cab services like Uber and Ola running in Bengaluru and rest of the State. With this modification, the minimum fare for a cab ride will now be Rs. 75. 

Price caps have been put in place based on the price of the vehicles which often correspond to the types of vehicle — hatchback, sedan and SUV. The aggregators also price their service based on these three variants.

• For vehicle value till Rs. 5 lakh: Minimum fare upto 4 km- Rs. 75, additional fare per km can be between Rs. 18 – Rs. 36. 

• For vehicle value Rs. 5 lakh to Rs. 10 lakh: Minimum fare up to 4 km- Rs. 100, additional fare per km between Rs. 21 – Rs. 42. 

• For vehicle value Rs. 10 lakh to Rs. 16 lakh: Minimum fare upto 4 km- Rs. 120, additional fare per km can be Rs. 24 – Rs. 48. 

• For vehicle value Rs. 16 lakh and more: Minimum fare up to 4 km- Rs. 150, additional fare per km can be Rs. 27 – Rs. 54.

In addition to these fares, some operators usually ask customers to pay GST of 5 percent and a booking or convenience fee.

The decision from the Government comes after protests were held on Wednesday prompted by the death of one 34-year-old airport cab driver K. Prathap Kumar, who succumbed to injuries after he immolated himself at the airport premises on Tuesday. 

Prathap was driving a KSTDC airport taxi but drivers like him were suffering as customers were choosing Uber and Ola for their cheaper rates. Meanwhile, app hailed cab drivers were also unhappy with the prices as they were left short changed in the wake of high fuel prices.

In February, fares of non-app hailed cab fares were revised. With that, for non-AC taxis, the rate for first 4 kms will be Rs. 75, after which passengers will be charged Rs. 18 per km. For AC taxis, the rate for the first 4 kms will be Rs. 100, and Rs. 24 for each subsequent km.