Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Sep 25: In a meeting held on Friday September 24, in which representatives of Auto Rickshaw Drivers Union, Citizens Forum and transport officials were present, deputy commissioner of the district, Hemalata, announced that the auto fare for rickshaws in the town has been revised to a minimum of Rs 17 with Rs 12 for every additional kilometre over and above the initial 1.5 kms. This will come into effect from November 1 this year, and before that, the auto rickshaws have to compulsorily be fitted with meters, she explained.

Addressing the meeting, Hemalata said that hefty fines will be imposed on auto rickshaws violating the above provisions, and licences of chronic defaulters will be cancelled. She asked the rickshaw owners and drivers organizations not to support their erring members under such circumstances. For the first time in the town have the auto rickshaw drivers agreed to fix meters to their vehicles without fail, and the meters that had earlier been fitted by several of them in the past, have not been functional. The town also gets the dubious distinction of fixing the highest auto fare in the state. In Mangalore, the auto fare is Rs 11 per km with a minimum of Rs 15.

Noting that the town is frequented by tourists and pilgrims, she advised the auto drivers to be courteous while dealing with the passengers, and be a model for their counterparts from other districts.

Buoyed by the rates announced, even auto drivers from Karkala and Kundapur demanded to fix the same rates for them. She said that a decision about the same will be taken after holding discussions with the concerned. She also deferred a decision on rates for luggage, night rates and waiting charges by three months. The rates now fixed will be applicable to the auto rickshaws operating till Brahmavar in the north, Kaup in the south, Hiriyadka in the east and Malpe in the west. She said that the auto rickshaws running outside these limits should compulsory operate their meters once the autos come within the above limits.