There are round 1. 3 lakh autos within the metropolis. In December 2021, the revised auto fares got here into impact and the transport division had given drivers time until February 2022 to recalibra te meters. The minimal fare was elevated from Rs 25 (for the primary 1. 9km) to Rs 30 (for 2km). For each further kilometre, it went up from Rs 13 to Rs 15. This was the primary revision of fares since 2013. TOI lists a number of explanation why meters are down and out in Bengaluru.
One can solely pity these counting on public transport. The frequency of buses is poor, app-based cabs are unreliable and, whereas autos not less than had useful meters earlier, that’s now not the case and they’re now left to the mercy of auto drivers. There is no such thing as a doubt drivers are struggling attributable to rising gas costs and day by day bills, however life isn’t straightforward for commuters both, lots of whom have had salaries reduce or been laid off. The federal government should present extra subsidies for drivers to shift to e-autos. This shall be a winwin for all stakeholders.
Skyrocketing auto LPG, CNG costs
A majority of the autos run on LPG. The auto LPG charge elevated from Rs 32. 5 per litre in Could 2020 to Rs 70 now. Some drivers shifted to CNG considering it will be cheaper, however the worth elevated from Rs 49. 5 per kg in January 2021 to Rs 83 (at current). Drivers complain that whereas operational prices have gone up due to fuel costs, there’s no ample authorities subsidy to transform to electrical autos. Additionally, there isn’t sufficient charging infrastructure.
No crackdown on errant drivers
Visitors police and the transport division used to conduct particular enforcement drives towards errant drivers. Nevertheless, such drives are uncommon now. The division stated they’re short-staffed and site visitors police data present that circumstances for refusal to ply decreased from 11,623 in 2020 to 363 in 2021. Until June this 12 months, 658 circumstances had been booked. Equally, circumstances booked for demanding extra fare had been decreased from 11,808 in 2020 to 644 in 2021, whereas 711 had been booked as much as June 2022. Transport division officers stated site visitors police must provoke enforcement drives. Whereas site visitors police stated the general public may register complaints at 080-22868550 / 22868444.
Autos with out permits, scarcity of automobiles
As per the authorized metrology division, solely 45,964 autos in Bengaluru have recalibrated meters. Many, particularly twostroke autos, are operating with out legitimate permits. Some drivers stated since they pay a day by day wonderful to site visitors cops, they’re demanding further to make up for losses. Some autos don’t have correct paperwork and are plying illegally. There’s additionally a scarcity of autos after many financiers seized automobiles as drivers didn’t pay EMIs attributable to a dip in ridership throughout Covid-19.
Lack of pay as you go auto counters
There aren’t any pay as you go auto counters in crowded locations like bus, Metro and railway stations, industrial areas/locations, and hospitals. Most different cities have pay as you go counters throughout town. At current, just a few railway stations in Bengaluru have the ability.
Complaints of police harassment & site visitors congestion
Some auto drivers complain that they’re going through harassment from site visitors police and sometimes must grease their palms. Nevertheless, cops stated they don’t unnecessarily guide circumstances. Many drivers complain that site visitors congestion is excessive on arterial roads throughout peak hours so they aren’t in a position to get journeys for operational bills. As well as, many roads are crammed with potholes so automobiles require fixed upkeep. Extra one-ways and no U-turns coupled with site visitors diversions brought on by infrastructure work imply drivers spend extra on fuel.