Autorickshaw unions plan campaign for higher fare
Autorickshaw drivers' unions here are planning a campaign for Rs. 20 as the minimum meter fare even as the Regional Transport Office is learnt to have submitted some proposals with regard to the fixing of a fare viable for both the public and the drivers in Coimbatore.The State Government raised the meter fare from Rs. 7 to Rs. 12 with effect from January 26. It, however, announced around January 25 that the fare would be applicable immediately only to Chennai city. Fares for the other districts could be fixed after eliciting the views of the public, consumer welfare bodies, autorickshaw unions and transportation experts, the Government had said.The Regional Transport Office then formed a technical committee to study various factors relevant to determining the right fare for Coimbatore city and also the rest of the district. The cost of fuel and spares, the passenger volume and the area of operation were among the factors that the committee was expected to go into. The viability for both the passengers and the drivers was another factor that had to be closely studied.The committee comprised three Regional Transport Officers, one Motor Vehicle Inspector, one professor of automobile engineering, a former Managing Director of the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation and a police officer.
A senior transport official says the committee's proposals have been submitted to the Regional Transport Authority and the District Collector. While the suggested fare is not being revealed, public feedback is that they can pay up to Rs. 14 but certainly not more.While the wait for the announcement of a fare for the city continues, the Joint Committee of Coimbatore District Autorickshaw Workers' Associations has planned a public meeting for May 15 as part of its campaign to press for Rs. 20 as minimum fare.
Committee president P.K. Sukumaran says that most of the drivers are willing to operate by a meter fare. But, the fare should be Rs. 20. Anything less will not be viable. Autorickshaws in Chennai do not go by the Rs. 14 meter fare, he claims to justify the demand for Rs. 20. "It is a failure in Chennai," he argues. Most of the nearly 8,000 autorickshaw drivers across the district feel that they should charge only meter fare so that they are not further alienated by the people. Already call taxis have eaten into the share of passengers of the autorickshaws. "Now, we get to hear that call taxis will also enter the scene. In such a situation, the drivers also want to go by a meter fare to stay in the business," says Mr. Sukumaran. The Coimbatore Consumer Cause says that fixing separate fares for different regions is not wise.
In a letter to the Regional Transport Officer (North), secretary of the consumer body K. Kathirmathiyon says: "We understand that the fare fixed by the Government can be the maximum, and if necessary it can only be reduced. It was the stand by all the District Collectors in all the earlier occasions when the fares were revised by the Government."The contention of the autorickshaw owners is that a higher rate should be fixed for Coimbatore city as it is not as big as Chennai. If the size of the city is the criterion for fixing the fare, different rates have to be fixed for Tirupur, Mettupalyam and Karamadai, since these towns are smaller than Coimbatore city. Therefore, the argument of the unions is not acceptable, he says.
