Auto drivers must be directed to use meters

Sir,

The Regional Transport Authority (RTA) of Mysuru district has revised the auto fares from the present minimum of Rs. 30 to Rs. 36 and for the distance beyond 2 kms from the present fare of Rs. 15 to Rs. 18 per km from 1st January 2026 (SOM dated Nov. 13).

The reality is that most of the auto drivers already charge more than the minimum of the present Rs. 30. The hiked minimum fare of Rs. 36 is impractical since the exact amount cannot be paid by cash.

The actual minimum would be Rs. 40 in practical terms, an amount which a majority of the auto operators are already charging as the minimum. The RTA has fixed the fares on the assumption that the auto drivers are operating the meters. The reality is that very few auto drivers are operating the meters.

At present, the fares are decided either by mutual ‘agreement’ or by demand and acceptance and not based on the amount displayed on the meters, which  are rarely put to use.

It would be better if the RTA directs the auto-wallahs to operate the auto meters in the interest of the passengers. The passengers would have no hesitation in welcoming the new fares if the auto drivers would, as a matter of policy, operate the meters without hesitation.

As of now, the revised auto fares are only of academic importance if auto drivers do not operate the meters in future also.

– K.R. Jayaprakash Rao, Nazarbad, 15.11.2025

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