Ahmedabad: As the morning bell rings and classrooms fill up again, for many parents in Ahmedabad, the louder sound this year may well be that of tightening budgets. Those hiring rickshaws and vans for their children’s school drops and pickups will have to shell out more, with the Ahmedabad School Vardi Association announcing a hike in minimum fares on Monday, the first day of schools reopening for the 2026-27 academic year. The last fare revision was in 2024.The minimum monthly fares (for up to 5km) have been increased from Rs 750 to Rs 850 for school rickshaws, and from Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,400 for vans, the association has said. Stating it had to walk a tightrope between helping operators cover operational costs amid inflation and not upsetting household budgets, the association added that for distances beyond 5km, the fares can be mutually decided between parents and vehicle operators.Even then, parents will end up shelling out Rs 850 to Rs 1,250 or more a month for their child’s rickshaw ride. For those opting for vans, the monthly expense could range from Rs 1,400 to Rs 2,200, maybe more.The association said it had to walk a tightrope — balancing operators’ rising costs with the burden on households. But the scale seems tipped by inflation. CNG prices have climbed sharply from Rs 76.09 in 2024 to Rs 88.02 now, while insurance premiums, maintenance costs and compliance requirements have all added to the load, it said.The association also flagged rising safety-related expenses, including periodic CNG tank testing, fire safety equipment, medical kits and regular vehicle inspections — all now part of the cost of keeping school rides compliant and secure.For families already juggling school fees and other expenses, the impact is immediate. A household sending two children by van could end up paying up to Rs 4,800 more annually. Even shorter commutes are no longer spared — for a 3km ride, annual rickshaw costs are set to rise from Rs 11,400 to Rs 12,600 on average, while van charges could jump from Rs 19,200 to Rs 21,600.
