2 weeks ago
Chennai Autorickshaws Face Calls for Fare and Safety Regulation
Many people in Chennai use autorickshaws to travel short distances.
However, some passengers say drivers charge fares that are not shown on a working meter.
Arguments can happen when passengers refuse to pay unexpected amounts.
The article also describes reported cases involving intimidation, assault and theft.
Police said most drivers should not be blamed for the actions of a few.
Drivers said they work long hours and are losing business to bike taxis and app-based services.
Transport representatives want clear rules that protect both passengers and drivers.
They suggested meters, digital receipts, organized pickup points and a system for handling complaints.
These changes could make fares easier to understand and disputes easier to resolve.
Passengers in Chennai report arbitrary fares, fare disputes, intimidation and occasional violence involving autorickshaw drivers.
The article describes incidents at Koyambedu, Egmore, Nandambakkam, Ramapuram and Velachery.
Police said drivers should not be collectively blamed, but complaints involving assault, theft or intimidation would be investigated.
Drivers and transport representatives said declining trips, weak regulation and the lack of clear rules contribute to disputes.
Proposed reforms include calibrated meters, digital booking and billing, organized stands, cashless payments and a passenger grievance tribunal.
- Who
- Chennai autorickshaw passengers and drivers, along with police, transport representatives and labor leaders.
- What
- The article examines alleged fare overcharging, passenger intimidation and other reported incidents, and calls for stronger autorickshaw regulation.
- Where
- Chennai, including Koyambedu, Alandur, Egmore, Nandambakkam, Ramapuram, Velachery and Old Washermenpet.
- When
- The experiences described span roughly six years, including an incident witnessed last week; police also cited incidents on August 14 and a Monday.
- Why
- The article attributes the problems to the absence of effective fare regulation, functioning meters, clear enforcement and reliable complaint mechanisms.
Passengers and Regulation Advocates
Drivers and Police
How widespread is the problem?
Passengers and Regulation Advocates
Passengers, labor representatives and transport advocates say arbitrary fares, intimidation and weak enforcement are widespread enough to require urgent regulation.
Drivers and Police
A driver and a police official said most drivers work honestly and that individual offenses should not be used to characterize the entire profession.
Main cause of disputes
Passengers and Regulation Advocates
Advocates attribute disputes largely to the government’s failure to maintain effective fare rules, functioning meters and enforcement mechanisms.
Drivers and Police
Drivers said traditional autorickshaw trips have declined because of bike taxis and app-based services, creating financial pressure that can lead some drivers to overcharge.
Best solution
Passengers and Regulation Advocates
Passenger advocates favor calibrated meters, digital booking and billing, organized stands, cashless payments, driver identification, a grievance platform and a passenger tribunal.
Drivers and Police
Drivers support clear fare rules but also want reforms to protect their safety and welfare, including an organized structure and possible rehabilitation support.
Key facts
- Estimated driver population
- CITU secretary C. Thiruvettai said Chennai has around 2 lakh autorickshaw drivers.
- Regulation history
- Thiruvettai said autorickshaw fares have not been effectively regulated in the city for about 15 years.
- Reported fare example
- A passenger described being charged Rs. 500 for a trip from Koyambedu to Alandur, despite the short distance and absence of a functioning meter.
- Recent passenger incident
- The article says an autorickshaw driver intimidated a young woman in Ramapuram after she questioned an exorbitant fare.
- Reported criminal cases
- Police arrested one driver over an alleged assault involving a woman and her mother in Velachery, and another over an alleged autorickshaw theft in Old Washermenpet.
- Proposed complaint system
- Transport representative Jude Mathew proposed a single passenger grievance platform and an independent passenger tribunal.
- Suggested technology
- Digital records could include the vehicle registration number, driver identification, origin, destination, distance and applicable fare.
Quotes
Anonymous software engineer
Passenger quoted anonymously
““Most autorickshaw drivers in the city are like goons and thugs. As long as there is no regulatory system to rein them in, passengers will suffer,””
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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