A batch of unscrupulous drivers have already started demanding Rs17 as the flag down rate for autorickshaws despite clear instruction form the Bombay high court that the new fares would come into effect only when the driver gets the meter calibrated.
What happened?
Aishwarya Iyer, a Mulund resident, who works in an NGO, faced this problem on two consecutive days. "In both the cases, the drivers told me upfront that I would have to pay Rs17 as the fares have increased. Thankfully, I knew about the issue and the HC ruling. So I refused to pay them," said Iyer.
Secretaryspeakss
Speaking to dna, Thampi Kurian, secretary, Mumbai Rickshawmen's Union, said that what these crooked drivers were doing was tantamount to contempt of court. "Under no circumstance, should any driver demand or commuters should pay the new fare, if the meter remains uncalibrated. I appeal to all passengers to approach the authorities and file cases against such drivers, who give the vast majority of honest drivers a bad name."
Why the move?
The high court's decision on fares being collected only after the meter has been calibrated was a move hugely benefiting passengers as last time when the fares were increased in October 2012, several drivers ended up fleecing passengers since many of them didn't know how to calculate the new fare.
What are the four serious offenses?
Demanding excess fare- as is the case here- is among the four most serious offenses mentioned under the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Transport Authority schedule, the other three being refusal to ply, rude behaviour and soliciting customers.
Under the rules, these four offenses can invite cases under the Motor Vehicles Act as well as the MMRTA schedule, which calls for suspension of the driver's licence for various periods of time depending on how many times the drivers has been caught for such an act.
The meter calibration schedule:
August 17,18,19-- all vehicles with numbers ending in 0
August 20,21,22-- all vehicles with numbers ending in 1
August 23,24,25-- all vehicles with numbers ending in 2
(The schedule, which moves forward thus in sets of three days, allows all vehicles to be calibrated in 30 days, with a 15 day window period kept for emergencies and vehicles that missed calibration dates due to unavoidable circumstances)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}