Mangalore: Will ‘Auto Prepaid Counter’ Project Be Successful in City?
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS/SB)
Mangalore, Nov 7: We hear the news about those autorickshaw drivers who return the valuables, cash or jewellery to the rightful owners who leave it unmindfully in the autos they travel, thus proving that they are mostly an honest lot. Contrary to this, there are some in the fraternity who charge double the fare to the passengers by artfully studying their helplessness or innocence.
There are many complaints being reported saying that some auto drivers in Mangalore railway station, KSRTC, charge unreasonable amount of auto fare. Tourists who arrive in the city are made the scapegoat in this case by the auto drivers. The issue was raised at the meeting held in Road Transport Authority office, recently.
After considering the severity of the issue, the district administration had opened auto prepaid counter in city railway station, Bejai and KSRTC bus stand two years ago, which was not as successful. Now again the RTO has decided to reopen auto prepaid counters in Bejai, KSRTC and city railway station. A meeting was convened in this regard in which RTO officers, traffic police department staffs, associates of Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry as well as the members of auto drivers' union were present.
Earlier, one had to pay fare to the driver at the end of the journey as suggested by the police while hiring the autorickshaw. The responsibility of supervising the counters was assigned to a well known labour organization. Unfortunately, due to lack of co-operation between railway authority, labour union, KSRTC and the district administration, the counters had to be closed down after few months of its existence. However, this time a slight change has been brought while implementing the project.
According to the initiative, passengers do not have to pay advance money at the counter. They will have to pay Re 1 as token amount. The auto number and destination will be mentioned in that token or slip. In case of any deviations or fraud being caused to any passengers, they can demand for justice on the basis of the token. This project has been a successful venture in Bangalore. Now queation here is will it be as successful and effective in Mangalore ?
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