Srinagar, Sep 9: The next time you want to travel by auto-rickshaw, do ask the driver to show you the fare list card which reveals how much you have to pay for ride in the City.  And if the auto driver resists you can file a complaint with the police.
 With authorities failing to get fare meters installed in the three wheelers, the Traffic police finally evolved a novel idea of keeping the travel charges under control.
 The men-in-blue on Friday started distributing laminated fare list cards among the auto-rickshaws drivers. They have been asked to keep the fare cards visible for passenger access. In case of complaints, the helpline numbers are also mentioned therein as 2450022, 2455164 and 2455179.
 The cards have rate lists of some of the common routes and fare charges have been accordingly fixed in consolation with the Transport Commissioner and other concerned authorities. 
 SP Traffic Srinagar Maqsood Ul Zaman said the police has tried to make the system foolproof. “We have jotted down the registration numbers of auto-rickshaws who have been given the fare lists and anyone who violates the norms will be dealt with severely,” Zaman said while distributing the fare cards among auto-rickshaw drivers. The mobile numbers of auto-rickshaw drivers are also being registered for future communication if any required.
 “We live in the age of technology so I thought why not to keep the mobile numbers of the auto drivers handy so that in case of any complaints they would be just a call away,” Zaman told Greater Kashmir.
 Some months back even though the Traffic police issued fare lists for the three wheeler travel, the auto-drivers had allegedly declined to adhere to the fixed rates. Finally the Traffic police came up with the idea of giving them the pre-laminated cards.
 The rates, as per the official documents, have been notified by the State Transport Authority Vide No 51 MVD of 2110 dated 19-7-2010. The waiting charges have been fixed at Rs 25 per hour.
 Social circles have welcomed the move. “What I am observing is for the first time that Traffic Police cops stop auto rickshaw drivers and check the fare list which they are supposed to carry. No matter the drive may evoke some criticism which we always do when we are being made accountable but for me and thousand other customers the drive should be a continuous process till a system is set in place and gullible customers get riddance from erring auto drivers, who fleece them,” said a journalist who lives in Shivpora and has to travel in auto to reach his office.
 According to him, often he enters into argument with the drivers since no rate was fixed previously and the drivers were charging exorbitantly and as per their whims and fancies.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 9 Sep 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 9 Sep 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 10 Sep 2011 00:00:00 IST