Plan to make meters mandatory

HUBLI: Auto drivers fleecing commuters in the absence of meters is common. What is the solution? Responding to people's plea, the police department and RTO are considering making meter mandatory for autos and also to re-introduce the prepaid system in the city.
"All measures will be taken in the interest of public --- to give them the meter system and prepaid auto service --- provided private people come forward to start prepaid auto service and RTO steps in and puts the system in place," said B A Padmanayan, commissioner of police, Hubli-Dharwad.
"The railway department has agreed to give space for starting the prepaid auto service at the railway station, and the DCP, crime and traffic, has been directed to take steps in this regard. Talks are on with the RTO and soon the prepaid and meter system will be brought into force,'' he said.
The effective functioning of the system depends mainly on the seriousness of the RTO, police department and the commissioners at the helm of affairs in arresting the monopoly of auto drivers, said traffic experts.
Mahendra Kowtal, head of the then prepaid auto service at the Old Bus Stand, said: "We will come forward to start the prepaid service only if the police department assures us their full support in implementing the system and ensuring that drivers follow rules."
Usually commuters abstain from complaining as there is no forum in the police department or the auto association. Though there is provision to lodge a complaint against auto drivers for harassment, so far no complaint has been received against any auto driver except some oral complaints on their rude attitude and quarrelsomeness, said sources.
"In case passengers are harassed by auto drivers, they can complain either to the police or the RTO. If the driver is found guilty, action will be taken against him and his permit cancelled," said Padmanayan.
"I would like to complain against the rude behaviour of the drivers. But there is no forum to air such grievances.
Akshata Shetty, A student studying medicine in the city.
"It is wrong to tar every auto driver with the same brush. It is the passengers who want to strike a hard bargain and we have to spend the whole day dealing with such people. This means a loss to us in terms of revenue.
Mallesh Hugar | Auto driver
"Our auto drivers are humble and treat their passengers as their guests. Maybe it is those temporary auto drivers who behave rudely. Regular professional auto drivers who are solely dependent on autos are well mannered. We have planned a month-long workshop for auto drivers on how to behave with their customers. An RTO officer will guide them in this regard.
N C Sheikh | Vice-president, Karnataka State Auto Union Action Committee