The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Auto drivers continue to take commuters for a ride

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Thursday, Aug 14, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Auto drivers continue to take commuters for a ride

Staff Reporter

On an average, 12 complaints are lodged against them everyday

- PHOTO: NAGARA GOPAL

No way out: An auto driver arguing with passengers over fare.

Hyderabad: There is no respite from the auto drivers. Be it digital meters or mechanical meters - they continue to take one for ride - literally. Especially at railway stations and bus stations, demand for excess fare or refusal to travel short distances is a common phenomenon.

The plight of commuters visiting twin cities from other places is even worse. Carrying huge luggage and trying to make it on time to office, employees are forced to heed to the auto drivers demands. For a short distance ride from Secunderabad railway station to Shenoy Nursing Home, Marredpally, generally costs Rs. 14. But many auto drivers demand nearly Rs. 20.

“Vexed with these auto drivers, I usually park my bike at the railway station and prefer to pay nominal parking fee than the exorbitant fare demanded by auto drivers,” says R. Chandrasekhar Rao, a medical representative of a reputed company.

‘Technical snags’

While, this is the situation at Secunderabad and Kacheguda railway stations, many auto drivers at Hyderabad railway station refuse to operate the digital meters citing technical snags in the battery.

The situation turns even bad during nights.

While, the government prescribed minimum fare for auto-rickshaws from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. is Rs. 18. i.e. one-and-half times of Rs. 12, auto drivers’ charge not less than Rs. 25.

This is the ground reality at railway stations and bus stations ever since the installation of digital meters was made mandatory since last year.

On an average, 12 complaints are received daily on the transport department’s toll free number (1074) about excess fare or refusal to travel for short distances etc.

No special teams

The Transport Department in collaboration with traffic police had deployed 10 special teams at different locations in twin cities to keep a check on the erring auto drivers last month.

But after the teams were withdrawn, things are back to square one.

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