Key facts
- Deccan Chronicle reported on 6 December 2018 that the Kerala cabinet had raised the minimum auto fare from ₹20 to ₹25 and the minimum taxi fare from ₹150 to ₹175.
- The minimum distance stayed at 1.5 km for autos and 5 km for taxis in the 2018 revision, according to Deccan Chronicle.
- The Kerala government announced new fares on 30 March 2022, and they took effect on 1 May 2022 (The News Minute; Onmanorama).
- From 1 May 2022 the minimum auto fare was ₹30, with ₹15 per further kilometre instead of ₹12; the waiting charge stayed at ₹10 per 15 minutes (Onmanorama).
- Reports disagree on 2022 taxi minimums: The News Minute gave ₹200 (under 1,500 cc) and ₹225 (above), while Onmanorama gave ₹210 and ₹240.
How fares are set
Auto and taxi fares in Kerala are fixed by the state government, usually after a fare-revision committee reports, and then notified through the transport department. Revisions are rare and political: drivers’ unions push for increases when fuel prices rise, and governments weigh that against passengers. The same committee, chaired by Justice Ramachandran Nair according to Deccan Chronicle’s 2018 report, also advised on bus fares (see bus fare history).
Timeline
| Date | What happened | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Before Dec 2018 | Minimum auto fare ₹20; minimum taxi fare ₹150 (date of that revision not verified) | Deccan Chronicle |
| 5 Dec 2018 | Cabinet raises auto minimum to ₹25 and taxi minimum to ₹175; minimum distances unchanged (1.5 km, 5 km) | Deccan Chronicle, 6 Dec 2018 |
| 30 Mar 2022 | Government announces bus, auto and taxi fare increases | The News Minute |
| 1 May 2022 | New fares in force: auto ₹30 minimum, ₹15/km after | Onmanorama; The News Minute |
| 1 May 2022 | Taxi minimums raised (figures differ between reports; see below) | Onmanorama; The News Minute |
The December 2018 revision
On Wednesday, 5 December 2018, the Kerala cabinet raised the minimum auto fare from ₹20 to ₹25 and the minimum taxi fare from ₹150 to ₹175, Deccan Chronicle reported the next day. The minimum distance stayed at 1.5 km for autos and 5 km for taxis. The committee had recommended ₹30 for autos and ₹200 for taxis, along with ₹12 per km for autos, so the cabinet approved less than it was advised. The report said a formal announcement in the Assembly was expected and did not give an effective date. We have not found a primary document for that date.
The May 2022 revision, and where reports differ
The government announced new fares on 30 March 2022. Transport Minister Antony Raju confirmed on 13 April that they would start on 1 May 2022, according to The News Minute. Onmanorama’s report on 1 May gave the auto fare as ₹30 for the first 1.5 km and ₹15 per kilometre after that (up from ₹12). The waiting charge stayed at ₹10 per 15 minutes.
The two reports disagree on some details. The News Minute described the auto minimum as ₹30 for 2 km and gave taxi minimums of ₹200 for cars under 1,500 cc and ₹225 for larger cars. Onmanorama gave ₹30 for 1.5 km and taxi minimums of ₹210 (under 1,500 cc, up from ₹175) and ₹240 (above 1,500 cc, up from ₹200). Both agreed on per-km taxi rates of ₹18 and ₹20. Onmanorama added a taxi waiting charge of ₹50 per hour, capped at ₹500 a day. The News Minute also reported quadricycle fares rising from ₹30 to ₹35 minimum and ₹12 to ₹15 per km.
Because published figures differ, the fare card in the vehicle and the Motor Vehicles Department’s current notification are the authority. Our auto and taxi tips cover meters and fair practice.
Night charges and what we could not verify
- Night surcharge: The News Minute reported in 2022 that existing night and waiting charges would not change. A March 2022 Kerala Kaumudi report quoted a recommendation to keep a 50% night surcharge within city limits. We did not find the notified rule itself, so this page does not state a percentage as fact.
- 2014: The title covers the period since 2014, but we could not verify when the ₹20 auto minimum that applied before December 2018 came in. We have left out any earlier revision rather than guess its date.
- After 2022: We found no confirmed statewide revision of auto or taxi fares between May 2022 and October 2026.
Why it matters near the NAD signal
Late arrivals at Aluva or Kalamassery station usually end with an auto ride to the NAD Road signal, and knowing the official minimum helps. Ashraf Gents Hostel is on NAD Road at the signal, so most short hops to the railway station or metro are close to the minimum fare. For late-night plans, see late-night arrival in Kalamassery and the Kalamassery history archive.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum auto fare in Kerala?
₹30 since 1 May 2022, with ₹15 for each further kilometre. Reports differ on whether the minimum covers 1.5 km or 2 km, so check the fare card.
What was the minimum auto fare before 2022?
₹25, after the cabinet decision of 5 December 2018. Before that it was ₹20.
What is the minimum taxi fare?
Since May 2022, The News Minute reported ₹200 (under 1,500 cc) and ₹225 (above), while Onmanorama reported ₹210 and ₹240. Per-km rates were ₹18 and ₹20 in both.
Is there a night charge?
Kerala has a night surcharge, and the 2022 revision reportedly left it unchanged. We could not verify the notified percentage, so confirm it with the driver or MVD.
Who sets these fares?
The state government, after a fare-revision committee reports. The fares are then notified through the transport department.
Related guides
Sources
- Deccan Chronicle: Auto, taxi fares to go up (6 December 2018)
- Onmanorama: Bus, auto, taxi fares go up from today (1 May 2022)
- The News Minute: Kerala transport fare hike to be implemented from May 1
- Onmanorama: Minimum auto fare may go up to Rs 30 (12 November 2018)
Facts about Ashraf Gents Hostel come from the hostel’s own profile and photos; rates are indicative and confirmed on the call. Last reviewed . How we write these guides: editorial notes. Map embeds © Google.
Cite this guide: Ashraf Gents Hostel. “Kerala Auto and Taxi Fare Revisions since 2014.” Published 8 October 2026. https://ashrafgentspghostel.adserr.com/kerala-auto-taxi-fare-history/ Plain-text (Markdown) version · quoting with a link back is welcome.