Morung Express News
Dimapur | March 25
With the Dimapur district administration directing reversal of public transport fare to the pre-COVID lockdown tariff chart, the Dimapur District Autorickshaw Drivers’ Union (DDADU) has appealed its members to comply with the directive.
The order from the Deputy Commissioner, who is also the chairperson of the Regional Transport Authority, Dimapur, was issued on March 24 suspending the existing rate, which was fixed during the COVID-19 induced lockdown in September 2020 and the resultant restrictions/preventive measures imposed on public transport.
The September 2020 directive had put a cap on passenger seating on autorickshaws, allowing only one passenger per 3-seater and not more than two per 6-seater.
To counteract the reduced earnings of the drivers on account of the preventive actions, the then existing tariff, in effect since September 2017, was revised as a temporary measure. For example, the ‘line (shared) autorickshaw’ rate per passenger from the Railgate parking slot to 7th Mile (Chümoukedima) was hiked to Rs 80 from Rs 35. From the same parking slot, the fare till Padumpukhuri/2½ Mile increased to Rs 40 from 20, from Rs 50 to Rs 100 in the Singrijan/Urra Peace Camp route et cetera. It affected a two-fold fare increase in all routes covered by three-wheeler passenger transport.
The revised fare was hardly followed, though, with drivers charging over and above the specified rate and that too varying from driver to driver.
Nevertheless, the temporary measure ceased to exist subsequent to the March 24 order, at the same time, the fare chart of September 2017 came into effect. (Look up the rate chart at The Morung Express website).
Given the tendency of petty arguments over fare turning bitter and sometimes into physical brawls, DDADU President Tito Yepthomi’s appeal for compliance came with the added intention of avoiding unsavoury exchanges and scuffles between passengers and drivers.
While stating that fuel prices have increased by a great margin during the past year, he said that the appeal was being made on account of public welfare, especially the marginalized section and students from other districts studying in Dimapur.
He also informed that the union is also contemplating to appeal the transport authority to review the September 2017 fare chart, while stating that continuing with the over three-year old tariff would be unfair on the drivers.
Meanwhile, the DDADU would be embarking on a sensitization drive. According to him, starting Friday, union executives will start visiting the designated parking slots to sensitise drivers. For any misunderstandings related to fare or other issues, the union released a list of contact persons alongwith their phone numbers. The contact persons are— Ivuto (Highway route: 9856471168), Pihoto (Rail station: 6009647697), Khelopu (Railgate: 93833392528), Kitoi (Burma Camp: 8787474416), Lipok (Blue Hill: 8974992183), Khekiye (New Market: 9856197226), Tokavi (Imli ghas Duncan Basti: 8119061091), Susu (Dhobinulla: 8974618429), Nikavi (Thahekhu route: 8784503588), Nisheto (Nagarjan: 8787571484), Moa (night incharge: 7630855714) and Mulato (Rangapahar/Firing area: 8131923137).
He urged member drivers to comply with the uniform directive, carrying DDADU Identity card and having the requisite vehicle papers, including driving licence at all times in the interest of all.
On the prospect of introducing metered autorickshaws, he said, “We have tried it once. It failed to catch on.”
Furthermore, he informed that the DDADU has an ambulance service for members free of charge. “If non-members want the service, we are ready to help, provided the ambulance is not engaged at the required time. It would however be for within Dimapur district only,” he said.
