JOIN US“We have no proper information on auto rickshaws which disappear from roads. In order to ensure monitoring of all the autos, they will be registered at a common RTO,” Transport Commissioner Bhaskar Rao said here on Monday. He was speaking at the formal inauguration of the “Easy Auto” service.
The Commissioner said that there are more than 85,000 auto rickshaws in the City. Recent statistics show that the number of two-wheelers in the City has gone up by 17 pc while that of four-wheelers by 12 pc, annually.
"If auto drivers behave cordially with customers, more will opt for autos instead of buying a new vehicle," said Rao.
Although the “Easy Auto” service began in October last year, around 250 drivers joined the service on Monday. This service is only a phone call away and is equipped with GPS, GSM/GPRS tracking devices. It also has a LCD screen installed, adding special feature to the auto rickshaw.
Kempegowda, one of the first auto rickshaw drivers to join Easy Auto said that he has got more benefit in this mode than the earlier. "The customers too are very happy as they feel it is a secured mode of transportation," he said.
The service began with 51 vehicles and now close to 250 drivers have joined Easy Auto. "We get around 150 calls per day and we have been able to service 34 percent of our callers. This is due to the small fleet size. However, by March 2010, we are planning to rope in 1,000 auto rickshaws," said Padmasree Harish, who runs the service.