PRINCE KUMAR
Ranchi, April 28: Four months down the line, the prepaid auto service system at Ranchi railway station, which was started again for the third time on January 1, 2022, has yet to gain popularity among the passengers.
In the past four months, only 14,400 passengers have taken the benefit of the prepaid auto service which reveals the fact that on average, 120 passengers use the service of the prepaid auto in a day.
However, Prashant Yadav, Divisional Security Commissioner said, “The prepaid auto service system is getting a great response from the passengers as in January only 2000 bookings were received, while in February it rose to 4200. Similarly, in March there were 4200 bookings and in April, till date, we have received 4000 bookings.”
On the question of whether other auto drivers are also allowed inside the railway premises, he said that there are different kinds of passengers; some cannot afford it while some want to go in a share auto. “We are continuously doing advertisement so that more passengers get to know about the service. At present, 100 autos are there in the system and with the increase in the demand, more autos will be inducted into the system,” he added.
Aftab Ansari, who is a prepaid auto driver, said that they have to go to the passengers for grabbing their attention towards prepaid auto service. This is because the auto drivers, who are not in the ambit of the prepaid auto system, take away the passengers with them as the public is not aware of the system.
“There must be two counters for booking and also a big banner to display that the prepaid auto system works at the railway station. Also, other auto drivers should not be allowed to take away the passengers with themselves. For this, a share auto system should also be introduced so that everyone gets what they want from the prepaid auto system,” he added.
Prepaid auto service was started again at Ranchi railway station. Auto booking is being done from the counter. A booth has been built for this. Where passengers will have to pay first. After this, the receipt will be given to the passenger.
The rates for autos operating from prepaid booths have been fixed according to the route and distance. Under this, a minimum of Rs 100 and a maximum of Rs 300 will be charged from passengers for booking.
The fare has been fixed for booking prepaid autos. Apart from different routes, there is also a charge of tokens in it. Due to this, the auto drivers will not be able to do the work of cheating the passengers under any circumstances. Its complete details have been put outside the Ranchi railway station. But for prepaid auto service at night, passengers will have to lose a little more pocket. In such a situation, 20 percent more than the normal fare will be charged at night.
Jharkhand Yatri Sangh Chief, Prem Mittal had said that this is the third time that prepaid auto service has been started at Ranchi railway station due to the efforts of the passenger union. This time the operation of the auto will be under the supervision and control of RPF. It is expected that the service will not only be successful but will also be safe and disciplined.
