Stany Bela
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Apr 27: Late last year, Kudla Souharda Sahakari, a cooperative of auto-rickshaw drivers in Mangaluru, had made big news by linking auto rickshaws of its members with GPS network and accepting the payment for ride on digital wallets. Now, they have come up with a new innovative idea - an information tab on their auto rickshaws.
The tab is fixed behind the driver's seat and display icons of temple, church, mosque, hotel, mall and other tourist spots situated in the city and the coastal region. On clicking the desired icon, the passenger will get information like history of worship centres, road map, prayer and offering timings, information on hotels etc.
The tab works on a pre-loaded software, without internet. Balakrishna Shetty, the owner of "I Search" company situated in Alake here is the brain behind this software, which is aptly named 'Mangaluru Trip'.
Speaking to daijiworld, Prakash V N, president of Kudla Souharda Sahakari, said, "Now we fixed the tabs in around 25 auto rickshaws on a trial basis. Once the trial period is over, we plan to install the tabs in more than 1,000 autos in the city. At the same time, we are planning a grand inaugural ceremony of this facility. Once we get permission from the deputy commissioner, we will announce the inauguration date.
"Each tab costs Rs 12,000, so it is not easy for majority of auto owners and drivers to buy it. With the intention of helping these drivers, we have already approached some donors in the city and discussions are on to collect some amount through advertisements too," he said.
Explaining the benefits of the tab, he said, "We have include A-to-Z information about Mangaluru city and its outskirts. Passengers will get complete information and contact details of hospitals, clinics, specialized doctors, police, rescue teams, hotels, religious places, malls, cinema shows and its timings, etc. The tab also has cartoons for children. In future, we are planning to install online TV channels and other entertainment in the tab."
Disclosing the idea behind the innovation, Prakash said, "The arrival of mobile app-based Ola and Uber taxi services is becoming popular in city due to their cheaper rates and other facilities like AC and music. It causes huge loss to auto rickshaw business. Day by day, auto drivers are losing their customers. So, faced with the task of rescuing the auto rickshaw drivers and the owners from heavy losses and attracting customers, we implemented some new things. The thinking has led us to innovate and install the 'Mangaluru Trip' information software and digital tab."