Agartala, June 2 (TIWN): Passengers especially office goers had a terrible experience today after auto drivers hiked the passengers’ fare without prior permission from the government.
Following court directive, the Transport department has issued notice barring the auto driver to carry four passengers.

Angered by the notification, auto drivers have hiked the passengers’ fare almost double inviting trouble for the thousands of passengers. Sporadic incidents of verbal war between auto-drivers and passengers were reported in many places.

In some areas, auto drivers have allegedly misbehaved with passengers but there was no remedial measure as CITU-back auto rickshaw union so far remains mute spectator.

At 10.30 pm, auto-rickshaw drivers blocked road at Khayerpur and GB areas after spate with passengers over the fair.

Verbal clash was reported from Rajarbagh in Udaipur subdivision after passenger strongly opposed to give extra money to auto-drivers. However, the situation was brought to control by the police.

When contacted, the CITU, CPM backed trade union body’s working president Pijush Nag. “We have come to know that few auto-rickshaw drivers increased fares in some of the routes. We haven’t taken any formal decision in this issue”, Nag said.

Tripura Motor Sramik Union (TMSU) leader Ratan Kar said that the cumulative fare derived from the previous passenger limit in each trip of an auto-rickshaw would have to be ‘shared’ by three passengers.

“The expenses have remained the same while the Transport department has issued notice barring auto driver to carry four passengers. I am of the view that the fare should be equally divided among the passengers”, Kar said.

Interestingly, auto drivers used to carry five to six passengers each trip though it was totally illegal because the license does not permit to carry four/ five passengers in an auto-rickshaw.