Autorickshaws are the common man's way of commuting, almost everywhere in India. The reason for this is the affordability and availability of the Autorickshaws. Chennai city has approximately 70,000 Autorickshaws running on valid permits with almost another 10,000 vehicles from the suburbs. The number of autos plying everyday could be over 80,000.
The major difference between Chennai and any of the other Indian cities is the high fares one has to pay for commuting in an Autorickshaw. The distance from Adyar to Chennai Central is hardly 8kms, but the Autorickshaw drivers tend to charge you anything from 70 - 150 (the rates dependent on the driver). In Kerala, this travel would cost you hardly Rs. 45 or much less.
Coming out of the Chennai central station, this is the scene that happens with me:
Auto Driver: Sir, Auto?
Me: yes.
Auto Driver: Enge?
Me: AdayarMe:
How much?
Auto Driver: 150, Sir.
Me (sarcastically): Call Taxi / Auto?
Auto Driver: Auto, Sir.
Not able to bear with this slaughtering, I move on approach other auto-drivers, the scene rarely changes. Auto drivers haggling over fare with passengers is a common sight throughout the day at the station. Even the presence of the Railway Police and other government officials has little bearing on the situation.
If a passenger complains about the fleecing, the police try to pacify them rather than take stringent action against the erring auto driver. For several first time visitors, the situation is very unlike anything experienced in other cities, particularly Bangalore or Mumbai, where the governments have intervened proactively to provide a fair means of transport to those arriving at the railway stations or airport.
There was a lot of fanfare when the Government, after years of idleness in the matter, announced that meters would be made compulsory for Autorickshaws. The announcement was made on last republic day. Another republic day is fast approaching, yet there have been no actions from the Government’s side in this regard. The Government's announcement also stops with fixing a revised minimum fare, double the earlier amount. It also includes a waiting charge, 25 per cent more during night hours and electronic meters in all autos.
The failure to revise fare enables the auto drivers to demand exorbitant sums by citing the petrol price hike. (Even people who drive diesel autos).The official rate today stands at Rs.7 for a minimum fare of up to 2 km and Rs.3.50 for every additional km. The unions suggest Rs.15 as the minimum fare and Rs.7 for every additional km.
The Government, as in most of the cases, makes announcements just to create media hype. They are strong enough to destroy flats worth millions in the Kathipara Junction, yet, they are not able to impose something that would help the common man.
In Feb, the then City Police Commissioner Letika Saran made an announcement stating that "The city police have not received any complaint so far from the public against erring autorickshaw drivers". For your information, any passenger can lodge complaints against autorickshaw drivers by calling numbers: 103, 26445511, 26444445, 26445959, 26670993, 26215969, 24894466, 24867733, 22325555, 27264277 as well as 27663333.
Although the making a complaint to the police can result in actions against registered autorickshaw's, what action can the police take if the auto is not legally registered? What if you are giving the number of an auto plying with the number of someone's car or scooter? We've been, literally and otherwise, taken for a ride by auto drivers.
The only way-out - is to stand united and fight. Yes, together, we can do it. Do not agree to a negotiated price, no matter how inconvenient. Move on to the next auto, and the next. Take the bus or a local train. Hitch hike, if you can. I agree this will be inconvenient, but until and unless we do this together, these auto drivers are going to continue to fleece the public. Let's ensure that the future is a lot pleasanter for everyone by doing this.
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