Commuters still at mercy of auto drivers

Commuters still at mercy of auto drivers
Deccan Herald

The pre-paid auto service, a facility introduced recently on strategic points like M G Road and Commercial Street, may still have its good intentions in place. But the service is fast turning out to be another case of intentions ending up as mere intentions, as the show continues to be a non-starter.

Two weeks after the service was put in place, commuters continue to be at the mercy of auto drivers at the pre-paid autostands. Even the manning of the counters by traffic police has not helped matters.

Troubles

After sunset, the troubles aggravate with a majority of the auto drivers ignoring the signal from the traffic personnel to halt their vehicles in front of the counter. Many of the drivers are also declining to adhere to the prescribed fares.

When Deccan Herald did a reality check late evening on Tuesday, it was found that the traffic personnel had to step out of his counter and cajole auto drivers to ferry passengers. There were hardly any autos near the counter either, as the rickshaw drivers continued to zip past, ignoring the cop’s baton signal.

A long wait

Ali, a visibly-exasperated commuter, said he had to wait for long till an auto-driver agreed to take him to Frazer Town. He felt that the pre-paid auto service had not been of much use to the public. “We are still at their mercy. Even the fares demanded by the auto drivers are high and unfair,” he lamented.