The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : The end of haggling at Chennai Central?

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Saturday, Mar 10, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

The end of haggling at Chennai Central?

Karthik Subramanian

Transport Minister inaugurates pre-paid auto system at railway station, tells drivers to fall in line

CHENNAI: Haggle no more. The message to autorickshaw drivers was loud and clear at the inauguration of the revamped pre-paid autorickshaw service at the Central Railway Station on Thursday.

State Transport Minister K.N. Nehru, who inaugurated the service, said the revamped system was an opportunity for the auto drivers to correct not just their image but also that of the city among visitors arriving at the station. "The city's image has taken a beating because of the haggling that visitors are subjected to. There is the positive example of Bangalore. All drivers must co-operate for the success of the system."

He said the pre-paid autorickshaw system would soon start at the airport. The Airports Authority of India had agreed in principle to the proposal and the Transport Department officials were working out the modalities. Mr. Nehru also announced that the government would soon issue 10,000 permits for autorickshaws in the city — 5,000 given with subsidy for drivers with five years' experience within the Chennai Metropolitan Area, the rest without subsidy. The work to issue permits starts in a week.

Senior Government officials, including Home Secretary S. Malathi, Special Secretary Ambuj Sharma, Transport Commissioner C.P. Singh and IG (Railways) I. Raja, were present.

Office-bearers of Chennai Central Railway Station Auto Drivers and Commuters Welfare Society, the drivers' union operating the service, issued computerised receipts for the passengers who arrived. The railway police coordinated the efforts and helped passengers board the autorickshaws.

The tariff for the service has been fixed at a minimum of Rs.21 for the first 2 km and Rs.9 for every subsequent km — 50 per cent more than the recently revised tariff of Rs.14 for the first 2 km and Rs.6 for every subsequent km for the city's autos. While consumers felt the fares were on the higher side, officials and drivers maintain that pre-paid systems are normally costlier. There is no scope for bargaining for anything extra as well as nighttime and extra-luggage fares.

Officials and auto unions have drawn a list of 160 destinations and fares thereto. These will work out not just for the exact destination but also for areas within a radius of 1 or 2 kilometres. The list is not exhaustive, and it is possible some passengers may feel aggrieved. For example, Anna Nagar (Roundtana) drop would cost Rs.75 and a drop at Anna Nagar (West) would cost Rs.102. But since Anna Nagar Blue Star is right now not on the list, a passenger availing the service will have to pay for the next nearest destination on the list, Anna Nagar (East).

Officials said the pre-paid service would be constantly monitored by railway police and motor vehicle inspectors. An inspector or a sub-inspector of the Railway Police will be posted at the counter, and motor vehicle inspectors will operate in 3 shifts. A supervisory committee, comprising railway police, drivers' union and consumer organisations, will maintain a daily register.

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