Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Will more autos ensure fair deal for commuters?

Karthik Subramanian

45,000-plus autos have failed to adhere to announced tariff

CHENNAI: Almost the entire fleet of 45,000-plus autorickshaws in the city has failed to adhere to the tariff rates announced by the government on January 26 — a minimum of Rs.14 for the first 2 km and Rs.6 for every subsequent km.

The drivers have refused to use the rate cards the government distributed, get their meters recalibrated to the new tariff or stop haggling with passengers. And to top it all, they are opposed to the introduction of share autorickshaws — a more economical option for commuters.

Yet, the Transport department is keen to issue 5,000 new permits in the Greater Chennai limits, with a subsidy of up to Rs.25,000 per vehicle in the case of those running on LPG.

Tricky situation

The authorities have a tricky situation on their hands: they cannot take all the vehicles off the road for non-compliance. That would only hurt commuters. On the other hand, they must try and coerce the drivers to adhere to some reasonable standards as far as the tariff goes.

Consumer groups and commuters alike wonder where the government's interests are: with the members of the public who are forced to spend exorbitant amounts, or with autorickshaw driver unions, which have a huge stake in ensuring that their members get the permits. They feel the government is missing out on an opportunity to act tough with the unions and rein in the drivers.

P. Loganathan of the Consumer Council of India, who carried out joint campaigns with Regional Transport Officers and autorickshaw drivers' unions more than a month ago asking auto drivers compulsorily to flag their meters and use the rate cards, said he was disheartened that neither party showed interest in following up the campaign. "It would be in the best interests of the commuters if the government gave permits to more share autorickshaws," he said.

Permits pawned

The autorickshaw unions admit there is more to the permits than meets the eye. Some drivers even suggest that the biggest impediment to adhering to the government-determined tariff is the permit. Most of them have pawned their permits to take loans at usurious rates from private financiers and have to earn a certain amount every day to ensure a livelihood.

Private financiers

One driver explained that a majority of the permits in the city were locked up with a few private financiers. Due to the rising cost of living, most drivers are unable to pay back their loans on time and end up in a debt trap. If a driver is unable to pay the interest for a few months at a stretch, his permit and vehicle are as good as sold. A new buyer will purchase the permit for as high as Rs. 1 lakh.

The daily equation is even more challenging. Drivers who ply rented autorickshaws have to make Rs.200 a day, over the daily rental and fuel cost tomeet his household expenses and retain his permit after paying the financier. Most drivers fear that this is not possible under the new tariff rates.

Further, the Government's initiative to start a pre-paid autorickshaw service at the Chennai Central railway station at 50 per cent higher charges — a minimum of Rs.21 for the first 2 km and Rs.9 for every subsequent km — has many auto drivers questioning why the regular fare has to be lower than that.

Social problem

V. Narayanan of the Indian Organisation for Developmental Action (INODA), a service organisation, said the government had taken some initiatives recently but was not trying hard enough or coming up with innovative solutions. He suggests a major revamp of the permit system. "The government must revoke all owner's permits. They must give driver's permits to anyone who passes a skill test. Let the supply meet the demand as far as autorickshaws are concerned."

He also appealed to residents to see the problem beyond just being a commuter issue. "The goal must be to keep the driver community gainfully-employed by creating fair opportunities."

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