Pre-paid auto counters to open again

If everything goes as per plan, soon both the defunct pre-paid autorickshaw counters will be made functional.

Passengers, especially from Kerala, are made to shell out excessive amount to reach their destination from the railway station as some auto drivers neither use the meter nor show any mercy with regard to fixing fare. Situation is no different at the KSRTC bus stand too. Though pre-paid counters were opened at both places three years ago, it functioned only for a short period of nearly six months. Now the promise of Deputy Commissioner V Ponnuraj of re-opening the pre-paid counters at both places fills hopes in commuters that they can reach their destinations without paying extra money.  
Speaking to City Herald, Ponnuraj said that the district administration will be taking necessary steps to make the pre-paid counters at both places functional. Officials of KSRTC have already agreed to provide space free of cost.

There is a difference with regard to profit sharing with the Railways at the pre-paid counter near the railway station. However, it will be negotiated soon, he added.
The DC informed that the Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industries has come forward to run the pre-paid counter in front of the railway station. Meanwhile, the counter in front of KSRTC bus stand will either be handed over to BMS or ex-servicemen, he added.

KSRTC Traffic Divisional Officer M B Jayashanth Kumar said that the department has already given permission to reopen the pre-paid counter. “We will provide space for the pre-paid counter without charging money,” he added.

‘Unkind’

“One who travels in general coach of an express train from Thiruvananthapuram to Mangalore need to pay only Rs 129 for ticket. However, it is an unkind fact that passenger will have to pay atleast Rs 500 as autorickshaw charge to reach Surathkal from Mangalore Central Railway Station,” said Nagarika Hitharakshana Samiti President Hanumanth Kamath.

Though the DC have given assurance of opening the pre-paid counters in front of the railway station and KSRTC bus stand, the district administration, RTO and the police department should take initiative to make the defunct pre-paid counters functional at both places soon, he added.