Govt allows auto owners to let out vehicles on rent

Taking forward the lessons learnt from the odd-even green campaign, the transport department has now decided to permanently allow autorickshaw owners to let out their vehicles to drivers on rent.

The decision follows a similar successful experiment during the January 1-15 odd-even road rationing scheme.

“To increase the availability of autorickshaws on roads during the 15-day campaign, the department had allowed owners to give their vehicles on rent to drivers. This has now been made a regular provision, with some riders,” said a transport department official.

As per the transport department’s fresh proposal, the condition of that all drivers should be owners of  their vehicles has been diluted.

“A driver to whom the vehicle is given on rent should hold a commercial vehicle licence and an official badge to drive a public service vehicle,” said an official.Sources said even without this formal provision of allowing renting of vehicles, many owners were letting out their vehicles.

“Now, at least, the act is going to become legal,” said the official.The transport department’ s new set of rules said that a daily-wage driver taking a vehicle on rent would have to get a written permission from the owner.

“This would eliminate chances of stolen vehicles being used by some drivers,” said an official. There are around 81,000 autorickshaws in the city. Now multiple drivers to run the same vehicle.

The decision to allow non-owners of autorickshaws the legal right to earn a living is going to benefit thousands of drivers who supported the AAP in its electoral success in 2015.

Autorickshaw drivers often complain of exploitation at the hands of middlemen who tie up with owners and force them to work at low daily wages.

Transport Minister Gopal Rai said the government alive to the need of the autorickshaw drivers and commuters.

“We are doing everything possible to ensure that use of autorickshaws is hassle-free for commuters during the April 15-30 odd-even days,” he said.

Since there is a delay in adding new buses to the public transport fleet, the AAP government would rely heavily on autorickshaws to help commuters leave their cars at home during the green campaign.