mangalore today

Mangaluru Junction pre-paid autorickshaw counter opens


Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, 16, 2015 : Arriving at a good out come the   long awaited demand of passengers was glad  a pre-paid auto rickshaw facility (counter) was launched at Mangaluru Junction Railway Station July 15.


autorickshawThe Area Manager, Palakkad Division of Southern Railway, launched the facility managed by Willy’s Auto Park, Balmatta.


According to a railway official, Corporation Bank has sponsored the counter, while the railways have provided the electricity connection to the counter which would function day and night.

A representative of the park,  told media present that electricity connection had not been provided to the counter temporarily.  He said that without power connection it would be difficult to manage the counter during the night.  A railway official said that an arrangement would be made.

Passengers would have to pay Re. 1 as service charge at the counter in addition to the fare fixed to different destinations by the Regional Transport Authority and Regional Transport Office. The minimum fare fixed is Rs. 23 for 1.5 km.

Regarding an issue pertaining to the agency managing the counter sharing half of the service charge with the railways, the official said that it has not been settled yet.  For the time being, probably the railways might not ask for it from the agency managing the counter. Service charge was not being collected at Mangaluru Central Railway Station.  Nalin Kumar Kateel, MP and Ivan D’Souza, MLC, have promised to take it up with the railways and resolve it.

G. Hanumantha Kamath, president, Nagarika Hitarakshana Samithi, Mangaluru said that police would have to monitor the functioning of the counter. Complaints of passengers regarding collection of excess fare after reaching the destination, if any, should be addressed. There should be dedicated number to enable passengers to complain.  Attempts to open a pre-paid auto rickshaw counter at Mangaluru Junction were in limbo for various reasons for some time.