Getting an ‘Easy Auto’ not easy

Dec. 27: The city may have to wait a while to get an ‘Easy Auto’ service, which has been thought up by the Bangalore Auto Drivers’ Souharda Cooperative Limited.
The proposal for starting 1000 such autos to provide, easy, safe and hassle- free commuting, has been put on hold as the government has barred the issue of fresh auto permits for the time being.
The scheme which will complement the new ‘green autos’ running in Bengaluru, lays down a minimum qualification of education upto the 8th standard for drivers, who will have to wear a uniform and be given a wireless phone to use.
The scheme will be monitored by the auto union to make sure it runs smoothly.
“The 1000 autos under this scheme will be connected to a call center, which will receive calls from passengers who want to hire an auto. The auto will reach their doorstep when required. Also, the vehicles will be equipped with a Global Positioning System,” explains Mr. Somashekara, union president.
The minimum fare will be Rs 30 for 3 kilometers and Rs 9 every kilometer thereafter. Mr Somashekara says the scheme was thought up to put an end to tampering of meters and the demand for exorbitant fares by the auto drivers.
‘Easy Autos’ will run on an experimental basis to begin with. The union has submitted the proposal to the transport department which reportedly forwarded it to the state government in June for its consideration.
A decision on the new scheme will be announced soon, says commissioner for transport and road safety, Bhaskar Rao .