HRTC Taxi Fare Hike in Shimla: Read New ₹10 Fee Increase per Category
Shimla, February 25, 2025
Shimla: Speculation of a hike in fares in the Innova taxi service operating in and around the city came true, as the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) today announced the revised fare for commuters. Trips within Shimla will now cost passengers ₹10 more in each fare category. As part of an operational update to address rising operational costs, increasing demands placed on public transport services have necessitated this change. The same fare structure will continue for senior citizens and patients travelling to Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) Hospital until October 2023.
The new HRTC fare hike was approved at the 159th meeting of the HRTC Board of Directors held at Hotel Holiday Home, Shimla, on February 22, 2025. The ₹10 hike will be applicable for all fare slabs of normal commoners through out the city, the meeting added. The hike will take effect immediately, and the change will likely be most felt by those who use the Innova taxis everyday.
An Essential Service to Local Residents and Visitors
The Innova taxis of HRTC, which serve more than three dozen routes within Shimla, have become an important part of the city’s transport system. These taxis cover some of Shimla’s most important routes, and also serve routes to key locations that cannot be reached with other commercial taxis. CTO Point, located near the iconic Mall Road, is one of the most popular routes. This route is particularly important for people of the area, particularly the elderly, and also serves as a key tourist transportation link.
The taxis serve primarily as local transportation but are also vital for tourists visiting places like the Jakhu Temple, situated on a hill near the Ridge Ground in Shimla. HRTC Innova taxis come out to be a great option in this regard as they are easily accessible and convenient and perfectly fit into the daily needs of the locals, as well as the tourism which is one of the greatest draws to Shimla that allows one to explore the cultural and historical sites of the city.
These elements, which have made the fare hike all the more impactful for those who rely on the service. The hike of an additional ₹10 may be small, but if you are a daily traveller—students, working professionals, or shoppers—the additional cost will keep adding up. This consideration is especially relevant to families who use the taxis for routine travel around the city.
Exemptions Given to Senior Citizens and Hospital Patients
Though the fare hike will affect most of the passengers, HRTC has extended some concession to vulnerable sections of society. Senior citizens who used to get reduced rates on HRTC taxis will continue to get those rates as the fare structure has not changed. The exemption also reflects the need for accessible and affordable transport options for senior citizens. And given that many older residents in Shimla are grappling with mobility or other health issues, ensuring that affordable transport is still available is key to maintaining their independence and ability to move around.
Likewise, patients traveling to IGMC Hospital from Sanjauli Chowk will not be subjected to any fare increases. However, for patients utilising medical services, the fare from Sanjauli Chowk to IGMC will remain at ₹10 to ensure that fares do not burden patients availing themselves of the medical services.
Explanation for the Fare Increase
Increasing fares, never an easy decision, proposed. The hike has been announced by Highways Transport Corporation (HRTC) in response to increasing operational costs, including fuel prices, maintenance, and other expenses related to operating the public transport service. The HRTC has also been affected by rising inflation in different sectors, and it will be mandatory to revise the price from time to time to keep the corporation profitable and to provide good-service to the passengers. This corporation has told that hike is essential so that fleet of taxis remains operational and passengers are not deprived of reliable and accessible transportation system.
Talking about the new hike, HRTC Divisional Manager Shimla, Deva Singh Negi said that the fare hike was a difficult decision but they had no choice but to introduce a slight increase to meet the rising expenses in the fleet of vehicles. He additionally highlighted that the supplementary charge would serve to ensure that the provision of premium service could flourish and that exemptions for old persons and medical patients would also be part of the corporation’s determination to deliver to the beliefs of the community.
Impact on Daily Commuters
For the daily commuter, the ₹10 rise might not sound like much for one trip. But for those who use the taxis several times a week — students going to class, office workers commuting to their jobs, even tourists who stay longer in the Himachal Pradesh capital — the higher price could have a substantial impact on their monthly budget. A regular commuter, for instance, taking the Innova taxi to work five days a week, will have to pay ₹50 more every week in transport cost. This translates into an increase of ₹200 per month, putting additional economic pressure on people who are already struggling to live paycheck to paycheck.
Although many commuters are likely to feel the burden of the fare hike, the fact that the service is still popular means most will likely swallow the extra cost. Infrastructure and availability of options are two significant challenges faced by public transport, especially in hilly areas such as Shimla. This was one of the reasons why the HRTC taxis are highly sought after; the HRTC provides the convenience, comfort, and accessibility that many depend on, particularly in a city such as Shimla, where travelling can be tricky owing to the terrain.
Forward: Where will HRTC be heading next?
Shimla’s public transport system has struggled to keep pace with an influx of passengers demanding improvement, making the fare increase a timely decision. Since Shimla is increasing in population and the travel sector is burgeoning, the demand on the transport system will be greater. The HRTC will have their work cut out for them over the coming months and years as they closely monitor operational expenses, and adapt to passenger needs to ensure that the city’s transport system remains sustainable and satisfies the needs of its residents and visitors.
This is unlikely to be the last decision of the kind, with inflation and growing demand for services in Shimla putting pressure on the public transport system for the foreseeable future. Passengers in Shimla will, therefore, have to keep themselves updated about future changes to fares and how they will align with the changing nature of transport.
So In a nutshell, the ₹10 fare hike for HRTC’s Innova taxis may not appear like a big change; however, for daily commuters and tourists it is a huge adjustment. The increase reflects the continued struggle among public transport providers to balance affordability versus sustainability as operating costs rise.
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