Mangaluru, Nov 17, 2015: Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim has informed that the administration will take a decision with regard to the demand of the autorickshaw drivers to increase the minimum fare from Rs 23 to Rs. 25 within the next one week.
He was presiding over a meeting convened at his office on November 17, Tuesday in the wake of the demand of the autorickshaw drivers. RTA officials, representatives of autorickshaw drivers unions, social workers and several auto drivers were part of the meeting.
As of now if the minimum fare is Rs 23 for the first 1.5 kms, drivers can charge Rs 13 for every kilometre covered after that while one and a half times the normal fare could be charged between 10 am and 5 am.
Yadava Maroli, President of the Autorickshaw Drivers’ Action Committee listed out the problems faced by autorickshaw drivers, who according to him on an average earn Rs 600 per day of which only Rs 200 would be left for them after paying the owner and also deducting fuel charges. Even the hike in prices of essential commodities has made life difficult, he said adding the prices of autorickshaw spare parts too have shot up.
Social activist Hanumanth Kamath who also spoke drew the attention of the authorities towards the fact that many drivers already charge Rs 25 minimum fare instead of Rs 23.
Regional Transport Officer G S Hegde, District Superintendent of Police Dr Sharanappa and others were present at the meeting.
The auto fare has to be reduced to Rs.20 would better. Fuel rates have com down.Their demand to increase the fare must not be fulfilled.
The auto rickshaw strike these days is not at all necessary because the fuel rate has come down but they are demanding more fare. Some auto drivers do no have the habit of returning 2 rupee change. Though minimum is 23 they charge 25 itself.