3-years on: GPS-fitted meters for autos still remain a distant dream

Though a government order was issued on August 25, 2013, stating that such meters would be given by August 2014, the auto rickshaws neither received meters nor any communication. 

According to officials, the auto drivers cannot collect exorbitant fare as the new meters would have GPS machines and tamper-proof. 

Importantly, the same could store details like the distance travelled during a trip and the destination where the passenger was dropped. 

Further, the system would also help trace the exact location of the autos at any given point of time. With all these features, the proposed GPS-fitted meters would ensure safety and security of commuters as they would also have panic buttons. 

S Balabubramaniam, General Secretary, Autos and Taxi Owners Association, South Chennai, affiliated to CITU, told DTNext, “the government should expedite the process to provide the new meters. Auto owners have also filed cases following the delay in the meter distribution process. After the arrival of private cab services, the income for auto drivers has taken a big hit. So, it would be of great relief to the auto drivers if the government provided the new meters.” 

Regarding the fare issue, he demanded the government should take steps and regulate the fare of private cabs, like in the case of buses and autos. 

K Malar Mannan, an auto driver, near Chennai Central railway station said, “since the present electronic meters in autos do not display correct fare, many commuters prefer cabs. So, the government should ensure the GPS meters are delivered soon”. 

When contacted by DTNext, a senior official, on condition of anonymity, said that they were in the process of verifying the details. “We will provide GPS attached meters to registered autos and the process may commence within a month”, the official said. He added that the transport department along with the police department would establish a control room to monitor the auto rickshaws.