Auto drivers press for steep hike

Auto drivers press for steep hike
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bangalore: If autorickshaw drivers get their way, you could end up paying a lot more for an auto ride. They are demanding a steep increase in fares. The hike in minimum fare could be between Rs 15 and Rs 20 and subsequent fare could be Rs 7.50 to Rs 10 per km. What’s worse, they’re going on a strike on Friday to push for the change.
However, two groups of auto drivers are divided on the issue. The first group, Auto Drivers’ Unions’ Federation, said that passengers wouldn’t hire autos if the minimum fare were to be increased to Rs 20, with the subsequent fare at Rs 10 per km. “We want a fare that’s reasonable to passengers as well as auto drivers. Our proposal of Rs 15 and Rs 7.50/km takes care of both,” says B K Puttaswamy, federation member.
The second group, Autorickshaw Drivers’ Union backed by CITU, states that Rs 20 and Rs 10/km is a must
for auto drivers to earn a reasonable amount. It has also suggested Rs 250 as the take home per day for a driver.
“Our proposal has been devised so that we can earn Rs 250 per day and is in accordance with the 18 norms that government laid out for fare calculation. We’ve taken into account total investment for an auto driver and the perkilometre running cost. The Federation’s fare hasn’t taken into account the total cost incurred,” H V Sreenivas Murthy of CITU said.
The federation and CITU agree on the reasons for the fare hike — rising LPG prices (Rs 35.38 per litre now) which they say has gone up by Rs 6 in one month and by Rs 11 in a year (Rs 24 per litre in 2006), rising petrol prices, rise in prices of essential goods. To go on strike or not? Auto drivers are divided
Bangalore: Roads may be less congested on Friday, but it won’t be an easy ride for those who travel by autorickshaws as auto drivers are threatening to go on strike to press for a fare hike.
However, auto drivers are divided. The strike has been called by Autorickshaw Drivers’ Union, which is backed by CITU. It claims to have the support of 17,000 drivers. On the other hand, the strike is opposed by Auto Drivers’ Unions Federation (ADUF) which claims to have the support of 25,000 drivers. These drivers will ply on Friday.
A meeting will be held on Thursday between Bangalore Urban deputy commissioner and Regional Transport Authority, M A Sadiq, and the CITU-backed union. If the outcome is inconclusive over the fare hike, passengers will be affected by a partial strike.
H V Sreenivas Murthy of the CITU-backed union said: “We want to reach an agreement with the DC on Thursday. If we don’t, we’ll go on strike on Friday between 6 am and 6 pm. If our demand is not met even after the strike, we will decide on the next course of action.’’
B K Puttaswamy of ADUF said: “We can’t go on frequent strikes and harass the public. We have already lost their confidence and don’t want to lose it further. The fare rise must be reasonable to the passengers and auto drivers. Their proposal is too high and the strike will hit our reputation.’’
At present, the minimum fare is Rs 12 and Rs 6 per km. The Autorickshaw Drivers’ Union demands a minimum fare of Rs 20 and Rs 10/km, while ADUF wants a minimum fare Rs 15 and Rs 7.50/km. The ADUF has submitted a memorandum to the police commissioner seeking protection for its auto drivers on Friday.
IN NUMBERS
l Overall number of autos - authorised and unauthorised - over 1,00,000
l Autos with permit (urban): 75,000
l Autos with rural permit and old autos operating in Bangalore urban (illegal): 20,000 to 25,000.
AUTOS ON LPG - 90%
LPG PER LITRE: Rs 24.96 in 2006 and Rs 35.38 in 2008