Pre-paid auto rickshaw service from Oct 2 - DC

Pre-paid auto rickshaw service from Oct 2 - DC

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Sep 29, 2011 :DC Dr. N. S. Channappa Gowda said that pre-paid auto rickshaw service will commence at KSRTC Bus Stand in Lalbagh and Central Railway Station from Oct 2 and at Kankanady Junction after 15 days.

He was addressing reporters on the sidelines of the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) meeting held to discuss auto fare hikes at the DC’s office on Wednesday. The DC also said that the KCCI and the district administration already have the required facilities to launch the service.

The pre-paid service was launched twice in 2005 and 2008, but had to be cancelled because it wasn’t managed properly.

 

 

During the RTA meeting, auto rickshaw drivers and owners demanded a hike in auto rickshaw fare from Rs. 15 to Rs. 18 as there has been a hike in prices of petrol, tyres, garage charges, and insurance amount in the past one year. Vishnumoorthy of the Auto Rickshaw Owners Co-ordinating Committee said that the minimum price must be in the range of Rs. 18 to Rs. 21. Complaining that the auto drivers in rural areas do not have meters and are making money illegally, he said that city-based auto drivers struggle against rising prices of fuel and commodities.

Auto drivers also urged the DC to be lenient toward drivers carrying a few extra passengers, adding that no action is taken against private buses, which are always overcrowded.

The DC said that he will take a decision after considering the needs of the public and auto fares in other districts.