Public transport operators in Guwahati are facing mounting financial pressure following repeated hikes in petrol and diesel prices, but many say they are avoiding an immediate increase in fares due to fears of losing passengers already burdened by the rising cost of living.
Auto-rickshaw and cab drivers across the city said the continuous rise in fuel prices has significantly increased their daily operational expenses. However, they believe any sudden fare hike could trigger disputes with commuters and reduce the number of regular passengers.
An auto-rickshaw driver at Paltan Bazar said passengers are often unwilling to pay higher fares despite being aware of the increasing fuel costs and economic challenges faced by drivers. He explained that apart from fuel expenses, drivers also have to bear the costs of vehicle maintenance, insurance, permit renewals, fitness certificates, parking charges and toll fees.
According to him, drivers spend nearly Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000 every month to keep their vehicles operational. After managing all these expenses, only a small portion of earnings remains for household needs and family expenses.
Several drivers also pointed out that shifting to environmentally friendly alternatives such as CNG or electric vehicles is not financially feasible for many operators at present. One driver said purchasing an electric auto-rickshaw would require taking loans and paying heavy monthly instalments, while additional costs related to maintenance, insurance and charging infrastructure continue to remain a concern.
Cab operators in the city shared similar frustrations over rising operational costs and declining profit margins. Rakesh Sharma, a cab driver from Six Mile, said fuel prices have increased repeatedly while fares offered through app-based platforms have largely remained unchanged. As a result, drivers are spending more money daily while their earnings continue to shrink.
Another cab driver, Abdul Hoque, said transport operators are under constant pressure to balance customer expectations with rising expenses. He noted that many passengers assume drivers are charging excessively without understanding how expensive vehicle ownership and maintenance have become in recent years.
Despite the growing financial burden, many transport operators said they are trying to avoid fare revisions because commuters are also struggling with inflation and higher living expenses. However, drivers warned that if fuel prices continue to rise steadily, increasing transportation fares may eventually become unavoidable.
The issue has once again highlighted the economic challenges faced by both public transport workers and ordinary commuters in Guwahati amid persistent inflationary pressure and rising fuel costs across the country.
