Distances are relative on new autorickshaw meters

Barely a month after the introduction of new TSR meters, an Express Newsline team carried out a random survey by travelling in six different autorickshaws to several parts of the city. The meters were found to be tampered with, as each time the meters showed a different reading. A receipt was also taken from the respective drivers.

According to the new rule, fare is calculated thus: the meter initially reads one. After the trip is over, the new reading is multiplied by Rs 2.50 and Rs 3 is added to the product. This is the total fare.

The survey from trips between ITO and places like New Delhi Railway Station, NIzamuddin Railway station and Jawahar Lal Nehru University clearly showed that the average variation in different autorickshaws meters across the city is at least five km from what it was earlier.

An autorickshaw, number DL 1R 3286, was hired from ITO to Ganga hostel at JNU. The vehicle sported a new meter, which records the number of kilometres. At JNU it read 21.60 km. The fare worked out to be Rs 56.75. When the reporter objected saying that JNU was only 14.6 kilometers from the Express building and not 21 kilometers, the driver explained, “You can check the seal which is visible from beneath the meter, so how can you say it has been tampered with.”

The driver’s contention was, however, disproved when another reporter hired an autorickshaw, number DL 1RB 0161, to the same destination 30 minutes later. The meter this time read 14.60, and the fare worked out to be Rs 40.

A third autorickshaw (registration number DL 1R 0345), also on the same route and another 30 minutes later, vindicated the finding of the Express Newsline team.

A trip to Ajmeri Gate on an auto-rickshaw DL-1R-B0370 showed 4.40 km on the meter. The return journey on the same route to ITO on another vehicle DL-1RB 5937 showed 5.20 km.

Between Nizamuddin railway station and ITO on autorickshaw DL-1RB-9737, the the reading was 6.10 (Rs 18). On the way back on autorickshaw DL-1RC-0089, the meter read 7.0 (Rs 20).

A regular commuter between Karkardooma and ITO says that meter readings are never consistent these days with variations ranging from 8 km to 13 km on the meter in this route.

Madhusudan, a chartered accountant in HCL, travels from Moti Bagh to his office at Sector 2 in Noida and back daily. “The average reading on the meter used to be 19-20 km, but the meter read 25 km yesterday and 30 km today,” he said.

Another daily commuter Ejaz, who commutes between his residence in Vasant Kunj and his office at Kasturba Gandhi Marg first crossing, says the meter always read 16.20 km till two days ago, but suddenly it hovers around 22 these days.

According to a police officer in a south Delhi police station, “The tampering of the new meters has already begun. There are specific places in Delhi where TSR meters are tampered: Jama Masjid area and Paharganj in central Delhi, Shakarpur in east Delhi, Mayapuri in west Delhi, and Govindpuri in south Delhi.’

There is little scope for argument with the autorickshaw drivers as one reporter found out. An agitated driver when asked about the discrepancy said: “I got the new meter installed a week ago. But I cannot calculate the amount to be paid by the commuter from the meter reading. I just ask the commuter to pay whatever amount I feel is right for the distance travelled. I expect you to cooperate.”

He pointed out that he did not like haggling with commuters. All clarifications made, the reporter went to JNU. However, when it came to making the payment, the driver refused to go by the meter reading. “You can pay Rs 50. The meter reading does not matter. The amount I am asking for is just right for the distance between JNU and ITO,” he said.