Jamshedpur : Concerned over increase in diesel price, the auto drivers of have raised fare by Rs Two. The new fare was implemented from Monday. A delegation of Tempo Drivers Association informed the Deputy Commissioner.
Secretary general of the association Shyamkinkar Jha informed the move. The association said they have no choice but raise the fare by Rs 2 per stoppage. There are around 25,000 autos which are plying on various routes in city roads carrying more than 2 lakhs commuters each day.
The increase in diesel prices will directly affect parents and passengers who uses public transport for daily lives. Soon with the hike in prices the auto drivers and mini buses in the city decided to raise the fare in order to make both ends meet on their part.
“We are helpless because we have to earn so passengers would have to bear the brunt. We have decided to increase Re 2 per stoppage and that is applicable to all the routes. There is no other way,” said the functionary.
With the hike, the burden on the passenger is now more. Padmashree, a school teacher, doesn�t drive or ride and is forced to depend on the autos. �It�s a hassle to argue with the drivers.
They are crude and impolite. They demand their own fare. Our salaries don�t go up accordingly. How can we pay so much?� she wonders. Sofia Kazia has had some nightmarish experiences with autorickshaw drivers.
She says these were so bad that she prefers to pay more at pre-fixed counters. �Hiring an auto at night is risky. There is nobody to help when we get into an argument with the auto driver.
They quote their own fares despite the hike and if we are in far-off places, we are forced to give in to their demands,� she reasons. It is unfortunate that the ordinary man continues to be caught in the row between the law enforcing authority and the auto drivers.
