Autorickshaws to Charge Minimum Fare of Rs 15 from Sep 10
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SR/CN)
Mangalore, Aug 28: Following the rise in the prices of petrol and diesel some time back, the district administration has given its nod to an increase in the minimum fare for autorickshaws as well.
Addressing a regional transport meeting here on Saturday August 28, deputy commissioner (DC) V Ponnuraj informed that autorickshaws will now charge a minimum fare of Rs 15, that is Rs 2 more than the present fare. Also, Rs 11 will be charged for every kilometre thereafter.
The revised rates will be effective from September 10. The autorickshaws will get upgraded metres from October 1, Ponnuraj said and added that until then the auto drivers will be asked to use rate cards and charge accordingly.
The DC also informed that autodrivers have been directed to put up their photographs, names and nameplate numbers on their vehicles.
Also, pre-paid auto service will be installed at KSRTC bus stand and at central railway station. Auto drivers will be allowed to charge extra, amounting to half of the minimum charge on the metre from 10 pm to 6 am.
Moreover, auto drivers will have the choice to stay or to leave if they are made to wait for more than 45 minutes for a passenger. If the driver is made to wait for more than 15 minutes, the charge would be 25 percent of the metre charge. However, the driver cannot demand extra fare for waiting for under 15 minutes, he said.
It may be recalled that on August 17, Daijiworld had carried an exclusive report on the autorickshaw in the city, focussing on the common complaints that passengers had against some of the drivers. The report elicited a huge response with readers sharing numerous instances whererin the drivers charged more than the regular fare, especially while plying from the railway station or the bus stand. It is hoped that the pre-paid service will work effectively to alleviate this problem.