Inflation has been hitting autorickshaws since long. For example, since 2008, when the minimum fare was Rs 12 to today, when the fare is Rs 20, the rise has been pinching the commuters. But, as always the optionless Bangalorean has accepted it. But the reciprocation is not quite evident from the auto drivers.
While ideally every auto driver should have recalibrated his meter, because of the increase, which has been done to benefit his take home, there are a bunch of drivers who want to further cash in on this benefit. They are still using the old uncalibrated meter, charging customers randomly and taking home much higher than the law abiding driver.
Anamika Sharma, who works in a private sector said, “I am a regular user of the autorickshaw. I take an auto from Wilson Garden to Cunningham Road. It costs only Rs 60, but many a times I come across faulty auto meters and I need to pay Rs 80. These auto meters are tampered with.”
“It is very strange that everyday from Koramangala to Cunningham Road, I get a new meter reading. If it is an extra of 4 to 5 rupees it is still fine but paying Rs 15 would be unfair. It is a common menace that some auto drivers even refuse to give back the change,” claims Sunitha.
Presently, many of the auto drivers have not standardised their auto meters. The auto meters show the old minimum fare as Rs 17 only. In such cases, many auto drivers show the revised chart and take the fare. The controller of legal metrology, which is the assigned body for weights and measures, had issued an order that autorickshaw meters should be recalibrated by June 30.
Krishna, an auto driver says, “We go to Jayanagar for meter calibration of an autorickshaw. It takes a minimum of Rs 350 to upgrade and after it is done, we get an approved certificate for it.” When asked why many of the auto meters are not standardised, he said, “There is no limited period for us as of now. Those who have not done so far will show the new tariffs published in newspapers and take the fare.”
Voicing a similar opinion, M Manjunath, President of Adarsh Auto Union said, “Upgradation of auto meters is done in few areas such as Padarayanapura, Rajajinagar, Byrasandra and Kalasipalyam. It costs Rs 175 to Rs 200 for the calibration of an auto meter and then we pay Rs 100 to the government and get the approved seal certificate from them. In case, within the limited time, if we do not calibrate the auto meters, then we will be fined or even sent to jail by the RTO authorities.”
When asked why all the autos do not have standardised auto meters, he says, “The new minimum fare had come into effect in the beginning of March with deadline of three months. But many could not meet the deadline because the recalibration centres are not identified properly and secondly, the old manual auto meter takes 1 or 2 days to get the calibration done, while the new electronic meters can be done within ten minutes.”
Some auto drivers even tamper their auto meters and the meter moves much faster when the auto is in motion. Most of the auto drivers demand their own rate and also argue that their meter display is correct.
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