Auto drivers fleece customers after RTC withdraws local services for Pushkaralu

Auto drivers have started fleecing commuters following the withdrawal of about 200 city bus services by the APSRTC Vijayawada Division to meet the pilgrim rush for Godavari Pushkaralu. The RTC authorities reduced the number of city buses to 80 and pressed the remaining fleet for Pushkaralu duty citing lesser occupancy rate in on weekends and holidays.

Exploiting the situation, the auto drivers increased the fare all of a sudden. Daily commuters were left with no option except boarding the autos paying an exorbitant fare as there was no guarantee that their wait for a city service at the bus stop would be fruitful.

Pilgrims going to Godavari Pushkaralu and those returning home after taking a holy dip in the river were also facing severe inconvenience due to the withdrawal of a big number of RTC city services.

Auto drivers who parked their vehicles in RTC bus bays at several places in the city, were demanding an exorbitant fare to take travellers to their destinations. They were also overloading their autos to make a fast buck ignoring the guidelines of the Road Transport Authority.

People living on the outskirts of the city were feeling the pinch due to the withdrawal of a big number of city and suburban services. The fleecing of travellers by auto drivers is likely to continue unabated till the return of all the city buses from Pushkaralu duty.