Pre-paid auto service expected to start in August in Noida

The much-awaited prepaid autorickshaw service is likely to start in the city in the first week of August. The move is expected to make travelling safer for commuters and also prevent their fleecing by autorickshaw drivers.

The much-awaited prepaid autorickshaw service is likely to start in the city in the first week of August. The move is expected to make travelling safer for commuters and also prevent their fleecing by autorickshaw drivers.

As a pilot project, the service will first start from two places.

The autorickshaw fare in the city is much lower than neighbouring Delhi.

In December last year, the transport department in Uttar Pradesh made it mandatory for autorickshaws in the district to have fare meter. However, auto drivers have not been plying by the meter. They have been demanding that the fare be hiked and brought on par with Delhi.

Residents allege that autorickshaw drivers often overcharge. To check fleecing of commuters by autorickshaw drivers in Gautam Budh Nagar, district magistrate NP Singh had on June 5 directed the regional transport officer to conduct a survey and find out whether the demand by the autorickshaw drivers to bring the fare in Noida on par with Delhi is justified.

“I know unless the fare is revised, we cannot start the pre-paid service. I hope a notification in this regard will be issued soon,” said Singh.