SAS Nagar, May 28- Although our city has the status of a world-class and highly modern city, and as per the claims of the Punjab government, essential amenities are provided to the residents of Mohali, but due to lack of local bus service for public transport, people have to depend on auto rickshaws running on shared ride system to travel from one place to another in the city. These auto rickshaw drivers charge arbitrary fares from the passengers.
It is commonly observed that these auto rickshaw drivers carry more passengers than their capacity. They drive at high speed, which often leads to accidents. Moreover, while moving at high speed, auto drivers suddenly apply brakes to pick up or drop passengers, which leads to collision with vehicles coming behind them.
Due to the local administration not fixing the fares of auto rickshaws plying in the city, the drivers charge arbitrary fares, resulting in economic exploitation of the passengers. Neither the government nor the local administration takes any steps to stop this economic exploitation of the people forced to travel by auto rickshaws.
Many a times, disputes also take place between drivers and passengers due to the excessive fares demanded by the auto drivers. However, fearing a fight or conflict, the common people are forced to pay the fare demanded by the drivers. The residents of the city demand that the fares of auto rickshaws be regulated (based on distance), action be taken against the drivers who charge excessive fares, and local bus service be started in the city.