The activists of Shivamogga Nagarika Hitarakshana Vedikegala Okkuta staged a protest on Saturday demanding the enforcement of laws that make it mandatory to charge autorickshaw fares according to digital fare meters in the city limits.
K.V. Vasanth Kumar, General Secretary of the Vedike, said that the law was beneficial to both drivers and commuters. At a meeting convened by the district administration recently, an amount of Rs. 25 was fixed as basic fare for a 1.7 km distance. Later, on the request of the drivers, the decision was revised to a basic fare of Rs. 25 for a distance of 1.5 km, Mr. Kumar said.
The fare fixed in Shivamogga city was high compared to other urban areas. Mr. Kumar said that it was unfortunate that even after the fare was revised as per their request, many drivers were demanding extra. He urged the Police and Transport departments to address the issue immediately.
