In a step that could help thousands of passengers, the traffic police and railway authorities are working towards setting up three more pre-paid auto stands at Kachiguda, Begumpet and Nampally railway stations in the coming days.
In an order passed about a few days ago, the government asked officials of the Traffic Police Department and South Central Railway (SCR) along with auto unions to form a committee and chalk out modalities to set up the new pre-paid auto stands, mentioned a senior traffic police official, requesting anonymity. Currently, the service is functional at the Secunderabad Railway station.
The setting up of new prepaid stands will benefit more than 1.30 lakh railway passengers who commute via the Nampally, Kachiguda and Begumpet railway stations everyday. The Secunderabad railway station alone sees more than 1.50 lakh passengers each day with 250 trains passing by. The prepaid stand there makes travelling for passengers easier, as they do not have to bargain with auto drivers.
“The SCR is yet to give names of its members who will be in the committee. Once they do that, the committee will be formed. The auto stands will be run on a contract basis, for which an open tender will be called,” explained the official, further stating that the main aim is to ensure that passengers who reach Nampally, Kachiguda and Begumpet stations are not ‘fleeced’ by auto drivers.
“This will also help ensure safety of women, as all details of the travel will be recorded. It saves time for commuters as well,” a Road Transport Authority (RTA) official pointed out. A senior railway official mentioned that the SCR will only provide the space for the stands, and that it will have no role in running them.
Currently, about 65,000, 40,000 and 30,000 passengers travel via the Kachiguda, Nampally and Begumpet railway stations respectively.
How it worksAny passenger can approach a counter at the prepaid auto stand and tell the personnel where he/she wants to go. A token for Rs.3 in generated, which comprises the details of the travel and the distance. Based on that and the fares which have been fixed, the amount has to be paid.
Minimum fare at the Secunderabad Railway station at the stand is Rs.40, after which Rs.11 is charged per kilometre, said an RTA official, seeking anonymity.
The prepaid auto services works 24 hours. Though the fares at the prepaid stands are a little higher than what is charged by the meter, travellers said that having to pay a fixed amount rather than going by tampered meters is a better option.
“I usually end up paying Rs.30 or a little more on the total amount when I use the prepaid services as compared to the meter fare. But the plus side is that when I arrive at the station early in the morning or late at night, auto drivers cannot ask for exorbitant fares,” pointed out Preethi P., a resident of Habsiguda.
