If Chennai has one single quality that can drive off a visitor or tourist, it would easily be its notorious auto drivers who as a tribe are very democratic in ripping off every one in sight -irrespective of whether they are domestic or foreign tourists or even the local populace.
In a previous post I'd suggested that the Tamil Nadu tourism department could offer incentives to auto drivers who would stick to fares fixed by the government. Looks like some one else has had the same idea and actually done something about it.
The T Nagar based Gates India has enlisted a number of Autorikshaw drivers to participate in its scheme.A passenger will have to pay fares fixed by the Government (Rs. 14 for the first 2 km and Rs. 6 for every subsequent km) and a service charge of Rs. 6 per trip. The service charge will go to the driver, who will have to pay a fixed amount of Rs. 65 a day to the company. Gates India will not own or operate vehicles. It will only do the `call transfer' service between an autorickshaw driver and a passenger.
A passenger could hail a `call auto' over the phone. The company would keep a track of the location of autos in the city and pass on details to the driver located nearest to the passenger. Each driver would be provided a post-paid mobile phone SIM card by the company. Any prospective passenger can call 39993999 to book an auto.
This is certainly a laudable idea and one that needs to be supported. I only hope that unlike many well meaning ideas and schemes, this one is sustained and does not run out of steam quickly.
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