The Chennai traffic police is planning to have autorickshaw fare cards displayed prominently at the city’s railway stations. This is to ensure that those arriving at Chennai Central and Egmore railway stations from other States are not fleeced by autorickshaw drivers.
“The traffic police personnel at the stations have been guiding commuters to our prepaid booths,” said S. Paneerselvam, deputy commissioner, traffic, Chennai West.
The police are also encouraging passengers to ask autorickshaw drivers for the fare card. “The commuters will know the exact fare for the distance. We are also providing them with details on the traffic police and transport department helplines,” he added.
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Meanwhile, on Wednesday, autorickshaw unions in the city started a campaign that seeks to persuade drivers to ply by the meter and abide by transport department norms. “We started this at Chennai Central station. Similar programmes will be conducted in 50 places in the coming days,” said J. Seshasayanam, general secretary of the Madras Metro Auto Drivers Association.
Over 2,000 pamphlets were distributed to drivers in and around Chennai Central. “Most of them said they prefer plying by the meter rather than have their vehicle seized,” he said. However, many of them had suggested the police take action against Tata Magic and Ape vehicles that ply as autorickshaws, he added.
“They need to be regulated. The government should provide us meters fitted with GPS at the earliest, and also form a committee to change the fares according to fluctuations in fuel prices,” said Mr. Seshasayanam.
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