Taxi owners say there are other factors which also decides charges
the cost of spare parts has risen by 100 to 150 per cent in the last one year.(Photo: DC)
KOCHI: Auto and taxi owners are unwilling to link fares with fluctuating fuel prices saying that there are other factors which should be considered while deciding hire charges.
“For instance, the cost of spare parts has risen by 100 to 150 per cent in the last one year. They are hiking the insurance premium too every six months,” said M B Semandabhadran, the state treasurer of the Kerala Auto-Taxi Federation and also general secretary of Ernakulam District Auto Drivers’ Association.
He pointed out fuel costs had nearly doubled in the last five years. “There is no corresponding rise in fares,” he pointed out.
“Already we have been targeted by the authorities by penalising us with Rs 2000 as fine for not getting meters recalibrated from the Legal Metrology department for no fault of ours. The authorities in the legal metrology department are saying they are yet to get the new software,” Semandrabhadran said.
Similar is the stand taken by autodrivers. AITUC Auto Taxi Association Leader Pattom Sasidharan said even now auto and taxi drivers only get a minimum profit.
( Source : dc correspondent )
Next Story
