<p>Bengaluru: Almost two weeks after <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/bengaluru/bengaluru-auto-fares-to-increase-from-august-1-3630129">revised auto fares</a> kicked in, ride aggregators have promptly adopted the new charges, but auto drivers across the city are yet to come on board. </p><p>The Legal Metrology Department is set to begin the meter recalibration and verification process by August 15. </p><p>“We have just concluded our meeting with meter manufacturers, repairers and auto associations. We’ve agreed on a new cost structure and will be proceeding with the verification procedure soon. We’ll put out a notice regarding the same soon,” a senior official from the department told DH. </p><p>As per the new cost structure, auto drivers will be charged Rs 500 — Rs 350 to be paid to meter manufacturers and Rs 150 to the Legal Metrology Department. </p><p>The department currently has only 17 inspectors to carry forward the process. </p>.Bengaluru auto drivers must recalibrate fare meters by October 31.<p>“To make the verification process more efficient, we have decided to decentralise it. Apart from the Legal Metrology Department’s office on Ali Askar Road, drivers can get meters verified at two more locations. There are no jurisdiction boundaries, the drivers can choose any of the three locations,” he added. </p><p>The two additional locations are the BBMP ground in Nandini Layout and Shalini Ground in Jayanagar. </p><p>With meters yet to be recalibrated to the new fare of Rs 36 for the first 2 km and Rs 18 for every additional kilometre, auto drivers are sticking to their usual overcharging way, complain commuters. The drivers are also not using the updated fare chart. </p><p>“A 3-km journey costs Rs 100 in this city. This has become the new normal,” quipped a commuter from Malleswaram. </p><p>Additionally, pre-booking tipping culture remains prevalent across all major ride-aggregator platforms. </p><p>Namma Yatri now offers two options for autos — Auto and Auto Priority. The latter is usually Rs 20-40 more expensive. </p><p>“When the fares have already been updated, what is the need to still add a tip? On top of that, these apps have multiple additional charges like ‘Pickup charge’ and a ‘Driver fee’. There needs to be stricter regulations on this,” said a disgruntled undergraduate student whose commute from her home in Cox Town to college in Vasanthnagar has become 30-40% more expensive in the last few weeks. </p> <p><strong>Spl drive in coming weeks: Transport minister </strong></p><p>Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy told DH that a “special drive” would be conducted to ensure auto drivers stick to the new fares. </p><p>“Let the monsoon session of the legislature wrap up, and I will plan this out on priority. The new fares are not optional, and drivers need to understand that,” he said and urged the public to file formal complaints against drivers for overcharging.</p>
<p>Bengaluru: Almost two weeks after <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/bengaluru/bengaluru-auto-fares-to-increase-from-august-1-3630129">revised auto fares</a> kicked in, ride aggregators have promptly adopted the new charges, but auto drivers across the city are yet to come on board. </p><p>The Legal Metrology Department is set to begin the meter recalibration and verification process by August 15. </p><p>“We have just concluded our meeting with meter manufacturers, repairers and auto associations. We’ve agreed on a new cost structure and will be proceeding with the verification procedure soon. We’ll put out a notice regarding the same soon,” a senior official from the department told DH. </p><p>As per the new cost structure, auto drivers will be charged Rs 500 — Rs 350 to be paid to meter manufacturers and Rs 150 to the Legal Metrology Department. </p><p>The department currently has only 17 inspectors to carry forward the process. </p>.Bengaluru auto drivers must recalibrate fare meters by October 31.<p>“To make the verification process more efficient, we have decided to decentralise it. Apart from the Legal Metrology Department’s office on Ali Askar Road, drivers can get meters verified at two more locations. There are no jurisdiction boundaries, the drivers can choose any of the three locations,” he added. </p><p>The two additional locations are the BBMP ground in Nandini Layout and Shalini Ground in Jayanagar. </p><p>With meters yet to be recalibrated to the new fare of Rs 36 for the first 2 km and Rs 18 for every additional kilometre, auto drivers are sticking to their usual overcharging way, complain commuters. The drivers are also not using the updated fare chart. </p><p>“A 3-km journey costs Rs 100 in this city. This has become the new normal,” quipped a commuter from Malleswaram. </p><p>Additionally, pre-booking tipping culture remains prevalent across all major ride-aggregator platforms. </p><p>Namma Yatri now offers two options for autos — Auto and Auto Priority. The latter is usually Rs 20-40 more expensive. </p><p>“When the fares have already been updated, what is the need to still add a tip? On top of that, these apps have multiple additional charges like ‘Pickup charge’ and a ‘Driver fee’. There needs to be stricter regulations on this,” said a disgruntled undergraduate student whose commute from her home in Cox Town to college in Vasanthnagar has become 30-40% more expensive in the last few weeks. </p> <p><strong>Spl drive in coming weeks: Transport minister </strong></p><p>Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy told DH that a “special drive” would be conducted to ensure auto drivers stick to the new fares. </p><p>“Let the monsoon session of the legislature wrap up, and I will plan this out on priority. The new fares are not optional, and drivers need to understand that,” he said and urged the public to file formal complaints against drivers for overcharging.</p>