Despite aggrieved commuters running from pillar to post and filing complaints, autorickshaw drivers in Kollam city continue to fleece passengers and flout norms. With the surge in customers after school reopening, most refuse to follow fares approved by the State government and force passengers to pay exorbitant rates.
While most autorickshaws ply without turning fare meters on, passengers complain that the minimum charge has hit ₹50 in many parts of the city. “The State government had revised the minimum charge to ₹30 in 2022 and within a year, drivers have started charging ₹20 extra. We know we are being overcharged, but many of us have no choice. If we object, they will start abusing us,” says Aravindan, a retired teacher.
According to Rekha, a bank employee, drivers demanding excess fare is a routine affair in the city. “Most of us do not want to start the day with an argument and pay the amount despite knowing that we are being fleeced. This has been an issue for so many years, but the authorities do not care. They conduct some enforcement drive for a week and after that, everything will be back to square one,” she says.
