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Gurugram: The Regional Transport Authority made it mandatory for all the auto-rickshaw drivers plying on the city roads to install digital fare meter within a week.
The Transport Department of Haryana had, last year, fixed fares for auto-rickshaw operators within the limits of Gurugram and Faridabad.
According to the notification issued by the department, the fare to be charged for the first one kilometer (upon downing the meter) is Rs 12 per km and thereafter Rs 8 per km.
Similarly, night charges will be at 25 per cent of the fare between 11 pm and 5 am. The waiting fee of Rs 30 per hour or part thereof (subject to a minimum 15 minutes stay) has been fixed.
The auto rickshaws can charge Rs 7.50 extra for luggage more than the prescribed limit. No additional fee will be charged for shopping bags or small suitcases.
The fares are inclusive of all taxes/toll etc. and no other amount will be charged by the operators of auto rickshaws. Passengers will be carried as per the registered capacity of auto rickshaws.
However, the auto union is opposing the move terming the fixed rates as not reasonable for the drivers and are very low as compared to the neighbouring Delhi which has a minimum fare of Rs 25 for the first 1.5 Km.
Meanwhile, the transport authority, on Monday, directed all those auto-rickshaw drivers, who have not yet installed the fare meters in their auto rickshaws, to get these installed within a week. It warned of strict action against the drivers for non-compliance of the orders as per the provisions laid down in the Motor Vehicles Rules-1988 and Motor Vehicles Rules-1989.
Additional Deputy Commissioner and Secretary of Regional Transport Authority Prashant Panwar, said, “The fare rates have been finalised by the state government and hence are binding on all the auto rickshaws. It is now mandatory to install fare meters on all autos plying within the limits of Municipal Corporation of Gurugram and five kilometers beyond it. These auto rickshaws can charge the fare as per the notification of the Transport Department.”
