MADURAI: Five months after the 'Namma Auto' service was introduced in the city, the initiative has become a huge hit among the residents. They find the service more passenger-friendly and hassle-free, especially as the transport authorities still have a tough time implementing fixed meter charges among regular autorickshaws.
The initiative was introduced here after its success in Chennai. Sixty seven autorickshaws fixed with global positioning system (GPS) currently operate as 'Namma Auto'. The base fare is Rs 25 for 1.8 km and Rs 12 for every km after that.
Though the auto service is not keen on advertising, customers satisfied with the service call the autos voluntarily, said J Satham Hussain, operational lead of Namma Auto.
A driver or owner of the auto gets a salary of Rs 8,000 plus Rs 4,500 per month (Rs 150 per day as incentives). Drivers are trained on road safety and instructed to strictly avoid drunken driving or any sort of misbehavior with passengers. Drunken driving or misbehavior will result in termination. They are not supposed to collect money above the meter fare.
"We attend 420 customer calls everyday," Hussain said.
With the documents for drivers and vehicles in place, Namma Auto maintains good conduct with the authorities too, he added.
G Irulandi, a Namma Auto driver, said the absence of cumbersome bargaining was a breather.
"I get a monthly salary and goes directly into the hands of my wife. Earlier, the entire income of the day used to spent in wine shops," he added on a lighter note.
But driving a Namma Auto also has its share of challenges, said another driver K Thangamariappan from Sellur.
"Other drivers see us as a threat and do not accept us in their stands. We are constantly chased by our competitors and harassed. We are always afraid and beseech the road transport authorities and traffic police to protect us," he appealed.
S Glory, a working woman from Vilangudi, said, "Earlier, the auto rickshaw drivers used to charge me Rs 150 to go to Bibikulam where I work. Now, I pay Rs 75 for a NammaAuto, which is the meter charge. Besides, the ride is very safe."
The initiative was introduced here after its success in Chennai. Sixty seven autorickshaws fixed with global positioning system (GPS) currently operate as 'Namma Auto'. The base fare is Rs 25 for 1.8 km and Rs 12 for every km after that.
Though the auto service is not keen on advertising, customers satisfied with the service call the autos voluntarily, said J Satham Hussain, operational lead of Namma Auto.
A driver or owner of the auto gets a salary of Rs 8,000 plus Rs 4,500 per month (Rs 150 per day as incentives). Drivers are trained on road safety and instructed to strictly avoid drunken driving or any sort of misbehavior with passengers. Drunken driving or misbehavior will result in termination. They are not supposed to collect money above the meter fare.
"We attend 420 customer calls everyday," Hussain said.
With the documents for drivers and vehicles in place, Namma Auto maintains good conduct with the authorities too, he added.
G Irulandi, a Namma Auto driver, said the absence of cumbersome bargaining was a breather.
"I get a monthly salary and goes directly into the hands of my wife. Earlier, the entire income of the day used to spent in wine shops," he added on a lighter note.
But driving a Namma Auto also has its share of challenges, said another driver K Thangamariappan from Sellur.
"Other drivers see us as a threat and do not accept us in their stands. We are constantly chased by our competitors and harassed. We are always afraid and beseech the road transport authorities and traffic police to protect us," he appealed.
S Glory, a working woman from Vilangudi, said, "Earlier, the auto rickshaw drivers used to charge me Rs 150 to go to Bibikulam where I work. Now, I pay Rs 75 for a NammaAuto, which is the meter charge. Besides, the ride is very safe."
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