Sir,

This refers to the news item titled “Demand for excess auto fare: Nine autos seized” (SOM dated Mar. 5). I have travelled many places in India and excess charging by autos is not taken as serious issue since, everywhere, this is common.

However, I find that the auto fare in Mysuru is not monitored by any Department. Barring pre-paid and app-based autos, passengers are being forced to pay more for the travel.

It is my personal experience that most of the auto metres are tampered in Mysuru and it is a common scene that they ferry passengers fixing rates beyond the normal rate. All autos have made Rs. 30 as minimum fare though this remains as Rs. 25 as on date.

During Dasara festival, they charge exorbitantly and with foreigners, less said the better. This fact is known to the Departments concerned but are silent all these years for the reason best known to them.

The only solution is, wherever there is no pre-paid auto facility, opt for app-based taxis, who charge less than these autos. Ignorance of using apps to book these taxis is one of the reasons for the passengers using autos.

– Ashok Nayak, V.V. Mohalla, 7.3.2020

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