The Hindu : Front Page : Pre-fixed auto fare system comes into force

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Sunday, Jun 01, 2008
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Pre-fixed auto fare system comes into force

— Photo: K. Ganesan

Hassle-free: Minister for Transport K.N. Nehru inaugurating the new system in Madurai on Saturday. .

MADURAI: In an attempt to facilitate a hassle-free journey for passengers, a pre-fixed auto fare system has been introduced in the city on Saturday.

Inaugurating the new system, Minister for Transport K.N. Nehru said that after Chennai, this facility was available only in Madurai. Advising auto drivers to fix meters in their vehicles and collect only the charges displayed, he said that the minimum fare of Rs.14 fixed for autorickshaws running in Chennai was higher than in Karnataka (Rs.12) and Andhra Pradesh (Rs.11). The Collectors had been empowered to fix the minimum charges in their respective districts.

Managed by the Rahul Travel Express Welfare Association of Chennai, the new system began its operation at Mattuthavani Integrated Bus Stand. It will cover 173 destinations, charging Rs.9 per kilometre, with the minimum fare fixed at Rs.21.

R. Udaiyasankar, Chief Executive Officer of the Rahul Travel Express Welfare Association, said that passengers need not pay money at the booking counter. They just have to pay registration fee of Rs.2. They can pay the pre-fixed fare to the auto driver at the destination point.

Plans are on to set up a similar system in Madurai railway junction and Periyar bus stand.

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