During the Road Safety Week meeting cum Regional Transport Authority Committee meeting organised by district administration in Belgaum on Tuesday, Deputy Commissioner N Jayaram asked the various authorities why dont the Autos Rikshaws charge by meter and how about Rs.20 to be the minimum fare. He added this fare should be implemented by the 10 July 2013 if possible.
Minimum fare of rickshaw of Rs.20 would be from 6 am to 10 pm and Rs 30Â from 10 pm to 6 am for the first two kms, thereafter Rs.9 per km. However the final rates would be finalized after another meeting with the auto association to be held before July 5, 2013.
DC has also asked the RTO to initiate strict action against all unregistered rikshaws and has categorically asked the Auto drivers to be polite to the commuters.
Auto Rickshaw Owners cum Drivers Association informed that only 37 minidor rickshaw have been licensed to carry passengers in the district, but thousands of them are operating. The DC said if land is required to keep the seized vehicles same can be made available at Auto nagar.
With respect to overloading of children in autos, DC said only 6 children should be accommodated in one auto. RTO authorities should take strict action against offenders.
The pre paid auto booth at railway station is also planned to be reopened and also one at CBT would be opened.