Asha Vombatkere, Member, Mysore Grahakara Parishat, writes
The public is continually facing hardship due to defective and tampered auto rickshaw meters. This is true in all cities and towns in the State.
The problem is exacerbated by the frequent fare rate changes which are implemented whenever the market prices for petrol change. It makes it difficult for the public to figure out if they are being overcharged.
We believe that the problem can be eliminated by installing auto rickshaw meters that read the distance covered in kilometers rather than the actual fare in rupees as is being done now. A conversion card issued by the concerned Regional Transport Office can be used to convert the distance travelled to the fare amount.
There are several advantages to this system. Thousands of auto rickshaw meters need not be recalibrated every time there is a rate change. Only the new fare conversion cards have to be issued saving enormous amounts of money. Whenever there is fare rate change, the conversion table can also be published in local dailies so that the public is up-to-date on the fare change.
The correct distances between the various landmarks in a city can be made available in the form of a booklet to the public, charging a fee to cover the cost of the booklet. If these distances are known to the public, there will be very little incentive to tamper with the meters. Defective meters can also be easily identified and corrective measures taken.
By changing fare meters to distance meters in auto rickshaws, overcharging of the public due to defective or tampered meters will stop all over the state. MGP has written to the Commissioner of Transport, Government of Karnataka about this matter