For long targeted over attitude issues and lack of public manners, auto-rickshaw drivers in the City are banking on the new Easy Auto scheme to turn a new leaf. And redeem their public stature, that has taken a beating over the years.

Easy Auto, formally launched as part of the B-TRAC programme on Friday, is in the trial stage, with the promoters of the scheme still finalising on the features. But once in place, the scheme could also translate into new, improved friendly neighbourhood rickshaw guys.

“The scheme is good because it addresses in a big way the problem of auto drivers refusing to ply to certain destinations. If a passenger wants to travel to say, Rajajinagar, all he or she needs is to call the driver (after co-ordinating with the service call centre) and be at the identified easy auto stand in the locality,” pointed out M Manjunatha, President, Adarsha Auto and Taxi Drivers Union.According to Mr Manjunatha, around 500 members of the union have already enrolled into the scheme. A training programme was held recently for around 300 members at the Traffic Training Institute, where tips on traffic rules and etiquette were imparted.

“At present, we have a three-month trial period on, where promptness in service and behaviour of the enrolled drivers are being observed,” Mr Manjunatha said.

He said the scheme also carried enough fringe benefits for the drivers to voluntarily join. Health insurance schemes, two sets of uniforms and scholarships for children are part of the scheme.

IVRS engaged
A day after the formal launch of the scheme, calls made to the Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) number continued to return an engaged tone, through the day. The call centre is expected to co-ordinate with registered (passengers who can avail door-to-door service) and non-registered passengers on the service.