Digital Meters Must for Autos

VIJAYAWADA: With the government announcing its decision to set up the capital city for truncated Andhra Pradesh in Vijayawada region, the road transport authorities are keen to see that all auto-rickshaws in the city get the digital meters fixed and collect fares as per the GO released for the purpose. Though a total number of 8,600 auto-rickshaws operate within the city limits, not a single one has the digital meter.

It is said that the auto drivers fix the meters only once in a year during the time of fitness check-up at the office of the Road Transport Officer (RTO).

“Once the check-up is over, they remove the meters and run the vehicles as usual. We have been sensitive to auto operators (drivers) for various reasons including the lack of proper repair centres for the digital meters in the city. If the meters develop any problem, they have to run to Hyderabad,” says a senior RTO.

However, the authorities have reportedly decided to enforce rules strictly and see that the auto operators do not collect exorbitant fares from the commuters.

When asked, deputy transport commissioner Ch Sivalingiah said that renewal of fitness certificates would be done only after ensuring that the vehicle had a digital meter was fixed and added that measures would be taken for the enforcement of rules.

While some auto-rickshaw operators were raising objections over the RTA’s move, some others have hailed it.

MINIMUM FARE

According a GO issued on February 17 this year, the minimum fare for a distance of 1.6 km is `20 and for each subsequent km it is `11. In addition to this, waiting charges shall be collected at the rate of 50 paise per minute. If the meters are fixed, the fares are to be collected as per the GO.