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Myth: Electronic Fare Meters can be tampered. Therefore, they
cannot be trusted |
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Fact: Electronic Fare Meters are tamper-proof and you
can trust them blindly. Tampering is almost impossible. If a
driver tries to tweak up the fare meter, its circuitry will be
damaged and the meter will stop functioning after a day or two.
Since the average cost of repair is in the region of Rs.1000, no
driver can take the risk of trying to fix the meter. Having
said this, the first batches of electronic meters were of such
poor quality that they break down very often. In many cases,
while the meter is not functioning, its display continues to be
lit up and throws up figures at random. This is not the same
thing as a tampered meter. A tampered meter is defined as
one which is deliberately set to display higher fare at a predetermined hike. |
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Myth: Government's helpline number 42400400 is totally useless.
They don't take any action on my complaints |
|
Fact: This is not completely true. Usually, a challan is
issued against your complaint and the fine is paid by the
violator. The problem lies in the inability of the Transport
Department to report to you the action taken by them. In the
absence of such feedback, your assumption that no action is
taken is justified. |
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Myth: CNG powered auto is cheaper to run than the one powered by
petrol |
|
Fact: 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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Myth: Auto drivers earn a handsome Rs.15,000 to Rs.20,000 per
month. |
|
Please see the chapter titled "Income
& expenses of autos" to understand how much they earn every
month. They deserve your sympathy and understanding. |
