Auto drivers violate reduced fare order, RTO takes no action

by news
•
March 25, 2015

Mangaluru: Although, most of the Auto rickshaw drivers have been collecting more than the prescribed fares from the commuters, the Regional Transport Authority (RTA), which is a quasi-judicial authority, has not registered a single case against any of the violators.

On January 9, after a joint meeting with stake holders, the RTA decided to reduce auto fares. Accordingly, the auto rickshaw drivers were directed to collect Rs 20 instead of Rs 25 minimum fare and Rs 13 instead of Rs 14 for every additional kilometer,  from January 12th onwards.

However, the auto rickshaw drivers, who opposed the move, expressed resentment over the decision. They claimed that the RTA has only looked at the reduction in fuel prices and not the rise in cost of living and other expenses.

Ever since the order passed on January 12, almost all the auto drivers have been collecting the old fares and not the revised fares. However, the RTA has not booked a single auto driver for violating its norms. Besides, leaders of the auto rickshaw operators union had openly asked all the auto rickshaw drivers to collect Rs. 25 from the commuters, which is against the RTA’s order.

RTO has to enforce

Superintendent of Police D.S Sharanappa, who is also an office-bearer of RTA, told newskarnata.com that it is the duty of the Regional Transport Office (RTO) to enforce the order passed by RTA. “Whoever is violating the order is wrong. It’s their (auto drivers) duty to respect the order. If they have any grievances, they can approach the RTA or the court”, he added.

Reconsidering fare reduction

Afzal Ahmed Khan, Regional Transport Officer (RTO) said that they have not booked any case against the violators till date. “As of now, we are considering the demands of auto rickshaw drivers who are not happy with the reduction of auto fares. We will calculate operation cost and review it. Hence, we have not booked any cases”, he added.

Besides, he said that the RTO will launch helpline for commuters to register complaints against the auto rickshaw drivers and bus operators within three days.