Kejriwal promises hike in fares, other sops for auto-wallahs

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday announced annual revision of auto fares based on inflation, provision for training of drivers by transport department and relaxation in some of the rules for them.

On April 1 every year, government will revise auto fares, he said addressing a meeting of thousands of auto drivers at Burari. There are nearly 80,000 autorickshaws running in the capital.     The Aam Aadmi Party had acknowledged their role in its electoral success and promised to address their grievances.

"If inflation increases, auto fares would then be hiked. If inflation declines, auto fares would be reduced by the government," the CM said. He announced that traffic police and transport department would only seize autos which don't have license, permit and fitness.

"We have got to know that under rule of 66\192 A, traffic police seize autos is driver is not in proper dress and other minor violations. But, traffic police would now only seize those autos which don't have license, fitness certificate and permit," Kejriwal said.

The chief minister also raised the issue of autodrivers turning away passengers and misbehaving, two of the most frequent complaints.

"I request auto drivers not to refuse taking passengers. With passengers' travelling, you (auto drivers) earn money and your families survive. If an auto driver is going to his house after work at night, then I request him to place a plate of "No Service" in front of their vehicle. Such autos don't deserve fine for refusal," he said.

"We have got to know that some auto drivers misbehave with passengers and tourists. Our government has now decided to train auto drivers in which they would be taught how to behave with passengers and foreign passengers. The transport department will soon begin giving such training to auto drivers," said.

He said as per rules, auto drivers have to install meters and GPS along in their vehicles, due to which they have to shell out around Rs 17,000. "Auto drivers can now install just GPS first in the vehicle. There would be no provisions of installing the two devices together in their autos," Kejriwal added.