E-meter mess: Fresh tariffs on cards

Following reports about confusion among commuters and taxi drivers over the new fare structure due to slow pace of recalibration of electronic meters, the state transport department has decided to issue a modified taxi tariff card. The tariff card will be printed with new and old tariffs alongside the distance travelled.

DNA had first reported about the problem owing to slow pace of recalibration of electronic meters on March 18, a day before the taxi tariff hike came into effect.

Since the black-and-yellow taxis in the city are run on both electronic and mechanical meters, the slow pace of recalibration in electronic ones have been creating confusion between commuters and the drivers as taxis have been displaying different fares depending on whether they are recalibrated or not. Of the 35,000-odd black-and-yellow taxis operational in the city, transport officials estimate, only about 8,000-10,000 are Premier Padmini taxis, which still have mechanical meters. While about 25, 000 new vehicles such as Santro and Eeco have electronic meters, which depend upon re-calibration of chips inside them to align with the latest fare structure as they are operated by making use of software.

While talking to DNA, state transport commissioner VN More said, “This is a stop gap arrangement for a month and copies of the new fare chart have already been distributed to the taxi unions and RTOs. They have old as well as the new fares mentioned to help commuters and taximen. This is in addition with the distance and meter readings which have been introduced for the first time in fresh fare charts in the city.”