Mumbai: Is the government’s fare hike decision backfiring?

Meter calibrators upset at unchanged rate; auto drivers irked at being charged extra at the centre, stage impromptu protests at Ghatkopar-Vikhroli highway

The hike in fares of autorickshaws and taxis in the city seems to be backfiring on the government. Two impromptu protests broke out at Ghatkopar on Friday, one by the drivers waiting to get their meters recalibrated and the other by the calibrators.

The meter calibrators, working out of a temporary centre in Ghatkopar, demanded that their charges per auto be increased. They had taken up their demands at a meeting with the transport department, but to no avail.

The auto and taxi drivers, who had been waiting in queue for recalibration since Thursday night, lost their patience when the calibrators allegedly demanded extra money. 

Auto drivers stand in queue for recalibration of their meters on Ghatkopar-Vikhroli highway on Friday. Pic/Ashish Raje

Auto driver Ashok Ranjit Chavan, who was among those waiting since Thursday night, said their number came only this morning. “The meter calibrators cleared 15-20 autos, then suddenly started asking the rest for receipts with RTO stamps. It meant losing our place in the queue. They also demanded Rs 250 above the Rs 700 charge. That was the reason for the impromptu protest,” he said. 

Meter calibrators said the government was not ready to increase their rates, but hiked the meter chip charges to Rs 280 from Rs 180, which was unfair.
Transport officials were unavailable for comment.

How are meters recalibrated?

. Digital meter unit is removed and sent for a software update

. The upgraded meter is fitted after vehicle owner shows the receipt at an RTO

. A road test is done to check the meter’s updated functioning

. The process takes 3-4 days for each vehicle and costs Rs 600-Rs 700, plus an additional fee if an agent is involved.

Crowd at RTOs still low-key

Not many taxi auto drivers lined up for meter recalibration at RTO centres. Most want to wait, and said they are ready to give up the hike for time being as it is more of a luxury at this stage. However, there were others who are still not aware of the hike. “The low-key response was expected. This is exactly what I had been saying. Auto drivers do not have money to get all this done for a mere hike of R3. The hike is ill-timed and expensive,” Mumbai Automen’s Union leader Shashank Sharad Rao said.  Mumbai Taximen’s Union leader Anthony Quadros said many cabbies are still not aware of the fare hike. The response might get better only after March 15, he added.

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