Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (RJP)
Mangaluru, Jan 21: Though auto fares were slashed by Rs 5 earlier this month, it is learnt that auto rickshaw drivers have been reluctant to implement the new fares and have been charging the old fare of minimum Rs 25 from passengers.
In a meeting held at the deputy commissioner’s office on Tuesday January 20 to resolve the issue, consensus on the auto fare could not be reached. The auto drivers demanded Rs 23 as minimum fare and Rs 13 per kilometer thereafter and argued that auto fares have not been revised elsewhere in the state.
Deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim suggested that the fare could be revised to Rs 22 minimum and Rs 12 per kilometre, which the drivers rejected. Now more time has been given to the auto drivers to think and decide on the matter.
Hence the confusion on fares will continue for some time without the passengers knowing what to pay. It is worth noting that even without implementing the revised fare of Rs 20, the meeting discussed a hike from the existing Rs 20.
A minimum fare of Rs 20 (first 1.5 kilometer) and Rs 13 per kilometer thereafter was fixed on January 9 and directive from Regional Transport Authority was issued on the same. The new fare was to come into effect from January 12. The directive said that all autos should fix the digital meters and those meters should be upgraded to revised fares before January 31, failing which, strict action would be taken against violators.
Without any regard for the directive, the auto drivers charged the old fare of Rs 25 as their digital meters had the old rates. Passengers were made to believe that January 31, the deadline for fixing the digital meter, was also the date for the implement the new fare. But it was a wrong and illegal message.
The passengers have so far been paying Rs 25, and hardly any auto driver is charging Rs 20.
Deputy commissioner speaking to the media after the meeting said, "The interest of passengers will be borne in mind before taking any decision. LPG price has come down by 45 percent and petrol by 18 percent. Though the last rate fixed was Rs 23, it was enhanced to Rs 25 on demand last time.”
The auto drivers’ associations’ representatives and officers from RTO had participated in the meeting.