Srinagar: Passengers in the city complain that the Auto rickshaws plying in the city charge exorbitant fares.
Passengers have also accused the authorities of not doing much to address the issue. Pertinently, Auto Rickshaws plying in the city operate without meters despite authorities directing them to adhere to fare meters.
Talking to Kashmir Observer, passengers voiced their frustration over the inaction of authorities and accused them of not doing enough to put erring auto rickshaw drivers to task.
A passenger identifying herself as Shohar Bano, said that the overcharging by Auto Rickshaws has become the norm of the day and there is nothing new about it.
“I board an auto rickshaw to travel in the city, before I board a rickshaw I ensure that I negotiate fare with the driver,” Shohar said.
Drawing parallels with other means of transport Shohar says she will still prefer an Auto rickshaw over other means of transport.
“I will prefer to spend more bucks in a rickshaw than travelling in an overcrowded bus,” she added.
Another passenger voiced similar views saying travelling in an auto rickshaw has become more or less a luxury.
“I boarded an Auto Rickshaw from M. A. Road to Dalgate and he charged me Rs 60 for a distance of around one kilometer,” said a passenger wishing not to be named.
“In absence of meters, auto rickshaws charge passengers according to their own will. Authorities should take note of the situation and impose fines on erring drivers” he said.
Auto Rickshaw drivers, on the other hand say, if they adhere to meters they will have little to earn.
Nazir Ahmed, a rickshaw driver, has been driving an auto rickshaw for two years now. He says he never felt the need to use the meter.
“If we start using meters, we will earn peanuts and our children will suffer. We have a family back home,” Nazir says.
Nazir says authorities have failed to revise rates according to what he calls “contemporary times”, seeing the kind of inflation there is in the market.
“If authorities are serious about the issue, they should revise the rates, so that no one suffers,” he adds.
It is pertinent to mention, the jurisdiction for revising fares for auto rickshaws comes under The Regional Transport Office (RTO) Kashmir. The enforcement part, however, comes under the Traffic Police City.
Speaking to Kashmir Observer, SSP Traffic City Muzaffar Ahmad Shah said that despite assurances from Auto Drivers Associations that they will adhere to meters while charging fares, they have failed to live up to what they say.
“Auto Drivers cite low fare rates as the reason for not adhering to meters, however, it is not in our jurisdiction. It has to be done by the RTO,” Muzaffar said.
Kashmir Observer made repeated attempts to contact Regional Transport Officer, Kashmir Sajid Yahya Naqash but he did not respond to repeated phone calls.
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