If you are a frequent traveller by an autorickshaw in the city, chances are that you are being taken for a ride. This is because some autorickshaw drivers are employing two tariff cards and flouting the norms with impunity.

The tariff card approved by the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) shows correct meter reading, while the other, that many autorickshaw drivers flaunt, in order to mint more money than what they are authorised to do.

For instance, while the RTA approved tariff card charges Rs 60.50 for 8.20 km, the fake card shows Rs 67.50.

Similarly for 10 km distance, while the right amount is Rs 73; the fake card shows Rs 82.

Taking disadvantage of the connivance of the Regional Transport Office (RTO), autorickshaw unions and traffic police, a number of autorickshaw drivers in the city are cheating their customers. While most of the auto drivers do not put up authorised tariff cards in a visible manner as directed by the RTO, many others keep fake tariff cards that show the increased rate.

The new tariff system came into effect from May this year. Over 50,000 autorickshaws had gone off roads following RTA decision to cut fare by Re 1 as per the state government’s instruction in the wake of a fall in petrol and diesel prices.

A regular autorickshaw commuter Nilima Saraf said, “I have come across many autorickshaw drivers who demand more money showing the fake card, which they carry with themselves. I usually cross check it from the official tariff card I keep in my purse and then pay the amount. It has now become habitual for me to argue with the autorickshaw drivers on this issue.”

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