I have stayed for a few days in Bangalore and Hyderabad and one thing that really strikes me is the autos. Every auto I had taken charge by the metre and give back even 1 rupee change. Even if you travel in the night, they just charge the 25% premium which is also fixed.
I am sure anyone who had used Chennai autos will definitely have had bad experiences. I have been shouted at by an auto driver for giving 50 rupees for a 3 kilo meter ride. Nowadays around 15 rupees per kilo meter has become a norm.
Last time the fare was fixed was in 2007 and every auto driver rejected the fare. We were back to heckling. The charge fixed was 14 minimum and 6 for additional kilometer.
Supreme court in its ruling last December had asked the TN government to rationalize the fares by May. Nothing happened till May and again they gave the government 2 more months to fix the fares. Nothing happened and on July 22nd Government asked for 4 more weeks to fix the fares and also to ensure GPS enabled meters.
In the interim private players like Namma Auto have started their services. Namma auto gives you a receipt and they charge a minimum of 25 and 10 for every additional km. They claim that they are making a good profit. There are stories that these auto drivers are beaten up by normal auto drivers. This used to happen when the call taxis started.
The government finally took time to listen to everyone last weekend. The auto unions are asking for 30 rs minimum and 15 for every additional km.
The petrol prices have gone up nearly 50% in the period from 2007 to now. I don't think a 15 rupees per kilometer fare is acceptable to all. Even with inflation of around 10% per year we are looking at an increase to around 11 rupees per kilometer.
Summary
Having lived in Chennai for 37 years and seen what happens usually. The government will fix a fare which is lesser than what the auto unions ask and they will use that excuse to not use meters again.
I wish I see a day when the auto drivers in Chennai do not fleece and don't ask any questions or bargain when they start the ride. Maybe with more propagation of the private players we will get to see such a day.
I am sure anyone who had used Chennai autos will definitely have had bad experiences. I have been shouted at by an auto driver for giving 50 rupees for a 3 kilo meter ride. Nowadays around 15 rupees per kilo meter has become a norm.
Last time the fare was fixed was in 2007 and every auto driver rejected the fare. We were back to heckling. The charge fixed was 14 minimum and 6 for additional kilometer.
Supreme court in its ruling last December had asked the TN government to rationalize the fares by May. Nothing happened till May and again they gave the government 2 more months to fix the fares. Nothing happened and on July 22nd Government asked for 4 more weeks to fix the fares and also to ensure GPS enabled meters.
In the interim private players like Namma Auto have started their services. Namma auto gives you a receipt and they charge a minimum of 25 and 10 for every additional km. They claim that they are making a good profit. There are stories that these auto drivers are beaten up by normal auto drivers. This used to happen when the call taxis started.
The government finally took time to listen to everyone last weekend. The auto unions are asking for 30 rs minimum and 15 for every additional km.
The petrol prices have gone up nearly 50% in the period from 2007 to now. I don't think a 15 rupees per kilometer fare is acceptable to all. Even with inflation of around 10% per year we are looking at an increase to around 11 rupees per kilometer.
Summary
Having lived in Chennai for 37 years and seen what happens usually. The government will fix a fare which is lesser than what the auto unions ask and they will use that excuse to not use meters again.
I wish I see a day when the auto drivers in Chennai do not fleece and don't ask any questions or bargain when they start the ride. Maybe with more propagation of the private players we will get to see such a day.
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