Autorickshaw drivers lay condition for metered fare

The Government should fix the minimum fare at Rs. 40 for the first two km and Rs. 20 for every km thereafter.

Autorickshaw driver-members of the Kovai Zilla Auto Thozhilalar Sangam have said that the workers' union would come forward to fix meters and charge passengers accordingly if the State Government agreed to their suggestion.

Minimum fare

In a release, the union, which is an affiliate of the AITUC, has said that considering the increase in petrol price, insurance cost, spare parts, essential commodities, power, school fee, house rent and other things, the Government should fix the minimum fare at Rs. 40 for the first two km and Rs. 20 for every km thereafter. If the Government were to do so, the union would ensure that autorickshaw drivers fixed meters and charged passengers as per the prescribed rates.

It has also said that the Government fixed the minimum fare when the price of petrol was Rs. 30 a litre. At present, the cost of a litre of petrol along with lubricant cost was Rs. 92.

This increase in cost makes it obvious that the drivers would not be able to ply the vehicles at the Government-fixed rate.

In the release, the union has also asked for housing facilities for autorickshaw drivers and action against those financiers who charged usurious rate of interest.