Companies which sell auto fare meters will now set up their outlets in RTA offices in the twin cities to ensure that the recalibration of the fare meters is done under the watchful eyes of the authorities.
The meter company dealers would set up their outlets in RTA office at Khairatabad, Trimulgherry, Attapur and Nagole from Monday.
This move comes following poor turnout of auto-rickshaws for fare meter recalibration. Despite the department extending the last date for recalibration to December 18, still 25,000-odd auto rickshaws are yet to recalibrate the meters.
ADVERTISEMENT
To facilitate auto drivers in recalibrating the fare meters, four new recalibration centres were launched last month. But still many auto drivers tend to avoid recalibration, citing different reasons, says Joint Transport Commissioner G. Panduranga Rao.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Most drivers allege that dealers demand excess charges for recalibration and shortage of fare metre spares in the market etc.
Hence, the department instructed the dealers to set up their temporary outlets in the above RTA offices.
After recalibrating the meters, drivers will have to go to Legal Metrology authorities for final approval, explains Mr. Rao.
“This would aid in expediting the recalibration process and at the same time, we can monitor the dealers work as well,” says Mr. Rao.
In its order issued three months ago, the State government increased minimum fares in auto-rickshaws from Rs.14 to Rs.16 and for each subsequent kilometre travelled, the fare was hiked from Rs.8 to Rs.9.
The government had also set a deadline of November 19 for recalibrating fare meters in all auto rickshaws with revised fares.
This deadline was extended to December 18 due to poor turn out by auto drivers.