A pre-paid auto-rickshaw booth was inaugurated on the premises of Guntur Railway Station here on Thursday. The booth, located at the main entrance of the station, would be manned by traffic police with assistance of the Government Railway Police.
Passengers alighting at the east end of the railway station would have to just walk to the booth, enter the details in a log book, pay the fare according to the rate chart and get into the auto to reach their destinations.
Inaugurating the pre-paid auto system, Superintendent of Police, Guntur Urban, Rajesh Kumar and Divisional Railway Manager, SCR, Guntur Division, N.K Prasad said that the pre-paid auto booth was opened to ensure a hassle-free journey to passengers. The minimum fare has been fixed at Rs.20 during the day time with which passengers can go to Bus Station, Sankar Vilas, Market, Taluka Centre, Donka Road, Yettu Road, R. Agraharam. The passengers have to shell out Rs. 50 to go to SVN Colony, Current Office, Hosanna Mandir, Housing Board Colony.
Mr. Rajesh Kumar said that passengers would have to submit the details of their name, address and destination and the details of auto drivers would also be entered into the book. “The decision was taken after receiving complaints that some auto drivers are fleecing passengers. But, the auto drivers sounded not too happy with the rates fixed by police. “They have fixed the minimum fare of Rs.20 which is hardly sufficient and unviable,’’ said Sk. Hussein, an auto driver.
