Reflections...

AUTO STRIKE IN TRIVANDRUM

(Drivers rights VS Passengers rights)

A spokesman of the Kerala State Motor Workers Coordination Committee last day said there would be a strike from December 21^st if the government did not announce the “promised” increase in fares. This statement seems good to read, and all will think how well the auto drivers in Trivandrum waiting patiently for so many days. As a daily traveller in auto rickshaw I know that many of the auto drivers in Trivandrum take more money from the passengers. As the coordination committee have the right to declare strike, where they are after the demands are met. Is there any auto drivers committee to teach them how to behave properly? I’m sure most of the persons who have used auto rickshaw in Trivandrum will have complaint of the drivers. I have not yet seen any of the drivers taking correct meter fare yet. When asked for a trip some will ask all the detail and is not ready for the trip. All can watch the auto drivers show off at central station road or thampanoor bus stand, before starting the trip they will fix up the fare without the meter.

Once when I had a talk with an auto driver they all came as gang, and teased me, I know what all things have to be done with the driver, but my time is more valuable than him, so I left him. The Trivandrum City Police is always telling of giving complaint for who all ask more that the meter fare , and who all behaves badly. Yes that’s good, but let me ask where do people have time to complaint for one or two rupees, and why do we have to waste our day without going to class or office.

Hope everyone will remember, some months back a Judicial Magistrate of Trivandrum court, had a bad experience with an auto driver at Pettah railway station, this was reported by all news papers.

Anyway let the auto drivers strike and win their goal, but do collect the correct fare, and behave neatly to passengers after that.