Shortly, autorickshaw drivers operating Kochi metro feeder services will sport new uniforms.
Transport Commissioner K. Padmakumar has issued an order approving the new look uniforms for autorickshaw drivers operating services centred on metro stations.
The uniform was allocated following a request of the district autorickshaw drivers’ union coordination committee. Mr. Padmakumar gave his nod to the demand after holding consultations with Kochi metro authorities and representatives of the coordination committee. Senior Transport Commissioner K.G. Samuel and Deputy Transport Commissioner K. Ajithkumar were also consulted.
These autorickshaws will initially serve as the feeder services for Kochi metro before extending similar services to buses as well.
The feeder autorickshaw drivers will have turquoise-coloured half sleeve shirts with a blend of blue and ash and black pants as their uniform.
Special badge
A specially designed badge displaying the driver’s name and other details will also be part of the uniform. Initially, the uniform will be given free of cost to drivers.
Initially, 300 drivers trained by Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) will serve as feeder service drivers. Among other things, they have also been taught road safety and personality development. The objective is to develop them as model drivers by bringing about a change in the culture of autorickshaw operations through them.
Mr. Ajithkumar said that the feeder autorickshaws would charge fares recognised by the State government. They would function based on the concept of share auto whereby a single passenger would have to pay the entire fare but the fare would be shared among the passengers if the service was also shared.
The KMRL has also drawn up various projects to cut down the operational costs of autorickshaws. Fixation of feeder routes and advance information about the availability of services to passengers are also some of the other plans being worked out by the KMRL.
