THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With complaints growing on fleecing by auto drivers and lack of adequate transportation for techies and other commuters arriving at the Veli railway station, the city corporation has decided to set up pre-paid counters at Infosys and Kochuveli railway station.
Mayor V. K. Prasanth said that the civic body has been receiving a lot of complaints regarding fleecing. The decision to set up the counters was taken in the traffic advisory committee meeting held recently.
"It's a long pending demand and commuters would be able to book the trip and pay the fixed fair. Currently, auto drivers are charging more. Also, the prepaid counters would ensure a safe ride for women commuters as only authorised auto drivers with valid ID proof would be engaged for trips from the counter," said the mayor.
Rajeev Krishnan, a techie, said that there is no transportation from Kochuveli towards Kazhakoottam.
"KSRTC conducts services, but it doesn't come towards Kazhakoottam or Technopark. Techies are forced to depend on autos, who charge exorbitant fares. The pre-paid counter would resolve the transportation woes of techies," said Mr Rajeev, who is also the secretary of Prathidwani - a welfare organisation of IT professionals at Technopark.
Palayam Rajan, chairman of the town planning standing committee, said that the civic body has also decided to take over the prepaid auto counter in front of the Technopark run by the police and techies.
"The counter was set up by the Kazhakootam police following the demand of the techies. Kochuveli station is one spot where the commuters are struggling to get transportation," he added.
ACP R. Anil Kumar, Cyber City Kazhakoottam, said that they get numerous complaints on fleecing by auto drivers.
"Pre-paid counters would resolve a lot of woes of commuters. We would be extending all our support for the initiative," he added.
