MUMBAI: Autorickshaw drivers have threatened to go off the roads from June 18 to June 20, demanding a hike in the minimum fare to Rs 25 for first 2km.

BEST services too may be hit around the same time as its drivers and conductors, who belong to the Sharad Rao-led union, will stage a stir, demanding salary arrears and bonus.

“We are demanding a rightful increase in auto fares, based on the increasing cost of living index over the past six months, the rise in costs of spare parts, insurance and maintenance of vehicles. The government had assured us a hike in May, but it reneged and informed the court that there would be a stay on the fare increase. So, auto drivers will voluntarily go off roads from June 18 to 20,” Rao told reporters on Wednesday.

At present, the auto fare is Rs 15 for a 1.5 km distance and the fares were hiked last October. “Auto fares have been revised three times in the past two years. How much more will people pay? A minimum fare of Rs 25 is unreasonable. Commuters will soon stop using autos if the fare hike demand is granted,” said a commuter rights activist.

While Rao said it would be a peaceful protest, he did not rule out the possibility of a “strike-like situation”. “The government will be responsible for the inconvenience caused to commuters in Mumbai and Thane. In Delhi too, the minimum auto fare is Rs 25 for a 2-km distance,” he said.

Rao said the agitation may turn aggressive if their demands are ignored repeatedly.

“A joint protest by BMC workers, hawkers and BEST employees will take place during the same period,” he said. While the civic workers are demanding implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission ’s recommendations, the hawkers want implementation of the National Hawkers Policy and on-the-spot licences.

The Hakim committee , appointed by the government to devise a new fare hike formula in 2012, had suggested that auto and taxi fares can be hiked once every year—preferably in May, said Rao. “The state government had accepted the recommendation in October last year. But now that it is May, they went back on their assurance and informed the court that they will keep the hike on hold. If they can do this, we will also ask for a huge hike of Rs 25 for minimum distance,” he said.

But, the service quality has not improved, said activist Sunil Mone. The transport department has decided against any fare hike as the matter is sub judice, said an RTO official. “The next hearing is in June and unless the court issues any order, we are not going to raise the fares,” he said.