CHENNAI: Commuters could be free from harassment of auto rickshaw drivers when they arrive at the Central Railway Station during wee hours the next time, as the existing Prepaid Auto Rickshaw service has commenced round-the-clock operations from Wednesday night.
The shutters of the prepaid counter that is down by 9.30 pm in the station premises remained opened to serve passengers, giving a huge relief for commuters harassed by auto rickshaw drivers, who fleece them to the core. Prepaid taxis also started 24X7 operations, official sources said.
As per the new system, passengers have to pay one-and-a-half times more than the normal fare for night trips. For instance, the normal fare from Central to CMBT is `195 and passengers should pay `292 in addition (to the normal fare). “Presently, manual receipts are given to passengers, as the excess night fare is yet to be included in the computer billing. People will get computerised receipts from Friday,” a Government Railway Police (GRP) official told Express.
About 800 auto rickshaws are registered with the Central Railway Station Prepaid facility, while anywhere from 60 to 70 licensed taxis are plying from the railway terminal. This apart, the fare list fixed by authorities to different destinations would also be displayed near the prepaid booths for the convenience of commuters, railway sources said. A decision to convert the existing prepaid booth into a 24X7 facility was taken at a recent meeting of auto union, Traffic Police, Government Railway Police, Railway Protection Force and the railways, in the wake of complaints and feedback from passengers that they are being fleeced during the after hours, the sources further said. In the past, the prepaid facility was available only between 5.00 pm and 9.30 pm.
When allegations that outsiders are engaged in canvassing and harassing passengers after 10 pm was raised during the meeting, source in privy to the meeting said that armed security cover would be deployed to keep such persons at bay. Four armed RPF personnel would be stationed at Central for the purpose, sources added. Moreover, indication boards guiding the arriving passengers to facilities, including prepaid booths of auto rickshaw and taxis would be put up soon.