In a welcome break from usual practice, autorickshaw drivers who are part of the Kochi metro’s feeder services will issue tickets to commuters.
The decision to issue tickets as receipt for travel was taken at a meeting of the officials of Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL), police, Motor Vehicles Department, and the coordination committee of autorickshaw drivers. The meeting was chaired by KMRL managing director A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish. The initiative aims at preventing overcharging of commuters.
The minimum feeder auto fare has been fixed at ₹10 per person for the first 2 km on share basis and ₹5 for every additional kilometre. In the initial stage, there will be 38 e-autos, followed by a fleet of 300 autos which will operate as the Kochi metro’s feeder service.
Fare charts
It was also decided to exhibit fare charts in all feeder autorickshaws operated by the Ernakulam Autorickshaw Drivers Co-operative Society.
“The attempt to issue tickets is to ensure transparency and accountability. The decision will bring about a change in the way commuters and autorickshaw drivers treat each other,” said Mr. Hanish. He also urged passengers to demand tickets from feeder auto drivers.
Parking space
The meeting further decided to conduct joint inspections by a team comprising representatives of KMRL, police, and auto drivers’ society along the metro corridor to identify pick-up points for feeder autos. The points will be chosen without disturbing traffic. The drivers’ cooperative society informed the meeting that they would ensure that commuters are not overcharged.
The Kerala Institute of Labour and Employment have already imparted training to drivers on road safety and behavioural aspects. On its part, the society will evaluate their behaviour and reward the best drivers.
City Traffic Police Assistant Commissioner Nazeer M.A, Deputy Transport Commissioner (Central Zone) Shaji Joseph, Ernakulam RTO Joji P. Jose, Motor Vehicle Inspector Biju Isaac, and leaders of six auto drivers unions attended the meeting.
CM to launch feeder auto system
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the Kochi metro’s feeder auto system and Ernakulam Auto Rickshaw Drivers Co-operative Society, a body consisting of six auto drivers unions in the city, on February 17.
The society expects a turnout of 5,000 people, comprising auto drivers and their family members, at DH Ground on the day. “The society is one of its kind in the country as all drivers unions have joined hands to achieve a common goal, the welfare of auto drivers. KMRL is happy that this society will operate as the Kochi metro’s feeder service,” Mr. Hanish said.
The society expects 15,000 auto drivers to join as members. It also aims to encourage family members of auto drivers to take up various small-scale business activities. K.K. Ibrahim Kutty (INTUC) is the chairman of the society, while Syamantha Bhadran (CITU) is the convener.
