The Hindu : New auto, taxi pre-paid counters by month end

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Feb 20, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala-Thiruvananthapuram

New auto, taxi pre-paid counters by month end

By T. Nandakumar

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Feb. 19. The City Corporation is all set to open two pre-paid counters for autorickshaws and taxis at the Thampanoor bus terminal and the Medical College junction. The new counters are to start functioning by the end of the month, taking the total number of pre-paid centres in the city to three.

The inauguration of the project, which was scheduled for February 6, had to be postponed due to the inconvenience of a Minister. Corporation sources blamed the Traffic Police for the hitch. They said the police had arbitrarily invited the Minister without consulting the local body, which is funding the project. They hoped the two counters would start functioning by the last week of February.

As many as 12 traffic wardens will be appointed to man the counters. Corporation sources said the idea was to reinstate the wardens whose services were terminated following an order from the Director General of Police. Moves are on to bring ambulance services under the pre-paid counter at the Medical College junction.

The extension of the pre-paid network has been taken up by the Thiruvananthapuram City Traffic Improvement and Passengers Welfare Committee constituted by the local body. Registered under the Charitable Societies Act, the committee is chaired by the Mayor with the City Police Commissioner as secretary.

The funds generated by the pre-paid counters, which are currently operated by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Traffic, will be transferred to a joint account in the name of the Corporation Secretary and the City Police Commissioner.

While the buildings to house the pre-paid counters have been sponsored by business houses, the computers and other equipment have been installed by the Corporation. Maintenance of equipment and payment of honorarium for volunteers and traffic wardens will be met by the revenue from the counters.

Of the balance amount, 80 per cent will be earmarked for traffic reforms, 10 per cent for awards for drivers and the rest for improvement of facilities for travellers.

Advertisements on computer printouts issued across the counter are expected to yield additional revenue.

The committee will take up a campaign on traffic rules covering drivers of taxis, autos, and other public transport vehicles.

Simultaneously, another campaign will be launched for school and college students.

An assistance scheme for drivers registered under the pre-paid system is also being worked out.

The first pre-paid counter at the Central railway station was set up in 1997 by the Town Planning Committee of the Corporation under the Ninth Plan. The counter levies a fee of 50 paise from every passenger availing of the service.

``It is a self-sustaining project. Apart from the operational costs, the counter generates enough revenue to pay the volunteers and traffic wardens,'' says the chairman of the Town Planning Committee, Palayam Rajan.

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