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Why are you supporting auto drivers who are crooks and cheats? |
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We are not supporting or opposing anyone. Tremendous amount of
injustice is being perpetrated against auto drivers which is
affecting the quality of the service they provide to you. It is
our duty to act against injustice and the real perpetrators,
which in this case, happen to the politicians.
This is what we are doing through our mission H2K. |
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Fare has been hiked. Why are auto drivers still so rude and
dishonest? |
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A small percentage of bad elements always remain in any segment
of society. Largely, however, the blame lies at the door of
politicians. Fare hike is not sufficient, waiting charge
structure is distorted, no formula for future revisions has been
decided, and the fare hike has not been accompanied by any
reformist positive action to bring about a fundamental change. |
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CNG is cheaper than petrol. So you cannot really compare
Delhi with other cities. |
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This is factually incorrect.
Many autos in other cities also run on CNG but they get parity of
fare with petrol run autos. Moreover, fuel is only one component
in the overall cost structure of autos. Time cost of an
autorickshaw alone works out at Rs.25 per hour. CNG auto also costs a lot more
to maintain than a petrol auto. Whilst CNG is helpful to
environment, it makes little difference to the pocket of an
autorickshaw driver. |
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Who decides the fare for autos, taxis and buses? |
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In theory, the transport department does that. However, in
reality, the entire process is tightly controlled by the Chief
Minister whose decision, quite obviously, is politically
motivated. |
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Why do auto drivers refuse? |
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Some drivers refuse journeys which may entail either traffic
jams or returning without a fare over a considerable distance.
They do so in order to maximize their earnings which are
otherwise low, thanks to the government's politics driven
decisions on fare levels. Other drivers refuse out of habit
cultivated over the years of government's neglect and exploitation of the drivers.
This has turned them into cynics and refusal is a way of showing
their indignation. Yet other drivers, when they refuse, reflect
the society's collective "I care a damn" character. |
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Why are so many autorickshaw drivers rude? |
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Low fare level and other issues have left this profession so
unattractive that only the least refined
people enter it. It has become the last resort of the most
unfit. What can we expect from such a lot? Given the
pitiful earnings, there is no room for a man of sufficient
honour and expectations to enter this sector. Rudeness is a form
of retaliation against the sufferings auto drivers face at the hands of the government
and the system. The situation, however, can
be salvaged, and we are confident that with the correction in
the fare structure and redress of other issues, the drivers
would come to respect you as customers. |
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Why do you blame the government for all ills? |
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The government fixes the fare rates. The government makes the
rules for the transport sector. The government enforces those
rules. So, when we see anarchy, chaos, and sub-standard services all around, who shall we blame? If the
government could fix reasonable fare and enforce the rules
strictly, we wouldn't have to be ashamed of our public transport
system. |
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Why are the fare meters of autorickshaws mostly
found broken? |
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Most autorickshaws continue to use the same electronic fare
meter which was hurriedly imposed upon them in 2001. The meters
were approved by the government but they were of such poor
quality that they would often break down. Even to date, post
sales service offered by most vendors leaves a lot to be
desired. There are so few engineers that one has to wait for
upto one week to have his broken meter repaired. Often, a few
days after a meter is repaired, it breaks down again. This is a
vicious circle that is best avoided by not having it repaired at
all and go by pre-fixed fare. |
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If the meters are of such bad quality, how will
they work once
the fare is raised?
|
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Increased income of the drivers after the fare hike will allow
them to buy
better quality robust meters which will carry extended warranty
and replacement assurance. |
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What is your role after the fare hike? |
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We are taking the mission to its logical conclusion, and we will
stay put until the auto drivers are begun to be seen as the
pride of Delhi. |
