No fixed rates, no meters: Auto drivers take commuters for a ride

City commuters who have been expecting a relief from over-charging autorickshaws will have to wait longer. Sunil Thapliyal reports.

City commuters who have been expecting a relief from over-charging autorickshaws will have to wait longer.

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The state transport department is yet to approve the administration’s proposal over regulating tariff of autorickshaw operators.

The department was expected to give its approval by the middle of this month. But, according to the city administration, the new tariff cannot be implemented as the proposal is still with the department.

“It’s been months since the administration sent the fare policy proposal to the state government for approval. Since then, it seems that no progress has been made in this direction,” said Dharmendra Singh, secretary, regional transport authority (RTA).

As per the recommendations, the fare for the first two kilometres will be Rs 20 and thereafter Rs 6.50 per kilometre should be charged.

During night (from 11pm to 5am), commuters will have to pay 25% more than the actual fare. In case the auto rickshaw has to wait, the waiting charges will be R30 per hour or part thereof, subject to a minimum of 15 minutes stay.

Singh said the tariff has been planned after proper consultation with autorickshaw operators. “We are simply waiting for the final nod from state transport department before implementing it.”

Earlier, the district administration had asked the RTA to display the autorickshaw tariff at all the Metro stations, bus stand and important road inter-sections so that people come to know about the rates and no one could charge extra from them.

The administration had also given a deadline to autorickshaws to get meters installed on their vehicles.

But commuters say the order remains on paper.