Except translation, this story has not been edited by achinews staff and is published from a syndicated feed.
Guwahati has been struggling with an ongoing problem: the lack of functional fare meters on auto-rickshaws. This lack of transparency in pricing leads to disagreements, frustration and feeling cheated for both passengers and drivers. Despite repeated attempts by the authorities to enforce the use of the meter, the issue remains unresolved.
The struggle to adopt counters in Guwahati is not recent. The government has mandated trip meters for auto-rickshaws several times in the past, but successful implementation has been elusive. In 2015, the Kamrup district administration formed a core committee to ensure usage of meters. During the meeting, Kamrup DTO Gautam Das commented on the committee’s determined efforts to regulate the use of travel meter in auto-rickshaws. Similar measures were taken in subsequent years, with threats to revoke the license of drivers who did not meet the requirements.
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In a recent investigation on the subject, the permit officer of the District Ministry of Transportation said, “This issue can only be resolved when the enforcement of vehicle laws is seriously implemented by the Enforcement and Traffic Division.” The officer also revealed that in a recent meeting, the issue of auto rickshaw drivers demanding high fares was discussed, with drivers reportedly charging around 300 rupees for a distance of 3 km. “The permit department can only act if a complaint is registered by the passengers against the auto rickshaw driver which charges a high rate, and the department will take action after investigating the permit violations,” stated the DTO permit officer.
The underlying reason for opposition to meters in Guwahati’s auto-rickshaws seems to be drivers’ concerns about fare structures. According to them, the rates set by the government, which may not keep pace with the increase in fuel costs and maintenance expenses, make it difficult to operate profitably with meters. The driver of a vehicle stationed in the Fatasil Chariali area was fitted with a meter device, but it did not function. When asked why it wasn’t fixed, the driver replied, "It’s just for show and it doesn’t work. We don’t fix meters because fuel prices keep changing, often causing us a lack of profit." In addition, some drivers complain of a lack of available and affordable repair shops for meters, leading to downtime and financial strain.
Commuters, on the other hand, face the brunt of the crowdless system. The lack of a standard fare system allows overpayment, especially on unfamiliar routes. Bargaining becomes a necessary, but often stressful, part of any journey. Praanimal Sarkar, a resident of Guwahati, expressed his grievance about "High price asked by car drivers. There is no regulation, and the rate is not according to the distance," he mentioned. This lack of transparency also makes it difficult to compare rates and choose the most economical option.
Additionally, technology can play a role in the future of auto rickshaw fares in Guwahati. Combining GPS with trip meters can automatically calculate fares based on distance traveled. Mobile app-based booking systems with clear fare displays can offer a convenient and transparent alternative, although these options are not easily accessible to low-income passengers.
The solution to the absence of travel meters in Guwahati’s auto rickshaws should be addressed as soon as possible to lift the woes of Guwahati’s public transport.
(Except translation, this story has not been edited by achinews staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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