Autorickshaw fares may be rationalised by meet tomorrow

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Feb 18, 2015: Controversies in the  autorickshaw fares in Dakshina Kannada district are set  to get organised  with the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) convening  meeting on February 19. According to some sources ,  the minimum fare may remain  Rs. 20 as notified on January 9, the per km fare is likely to be at Rs. 14 as against Rs. 13 ordered by the RTA.

The revised fares fixed by RTA  following steep reduction in fuel prices, autorickshaw operators in the district had been disgruntled.   After protests and a three-day strike, the operators also knocked the doors of the High Court and district in-charge Minister B. Ramanath Rai. The gaps continued with operators unwilling to adopt the revised fares  making things hard for passengers.

Mangaluru Forum For Justice,  had threatened agitation against arrogant autorickshaw drivers, appears to have made peace between the operators and general public. The Forum with  all the concerned operators, the Deputy Commissioner who is also the RTA Chairman, and Minister Rai,   informed them that Rs. 20 minimum fare was OK. It also said the per km fare may be fixed at Rs. 14. He said the Mangaluru Autorickshaw Drivers Union, non-political group with a high following, was with the forum.

On  Feb 16, the forum and union members met Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim and conveyed the concensus formula. DC said he alone could not take the decision and hence convened the RTA meeting on Feb 19.