I along with other senior citizens who do not have their own means of conveyance are compelled to travel by bus, auto-rickshaw or by motorcycle (pilot). Travelling by bus is sometimes next to impossible. They are always overcrowded, people are packed like sardines in a can (sometimes even worse). Many a times, we are not given our right to a ‘senior citizen’ seat, only two for a bus with a capacity of 50 commuters. Yes, Kadamba is another option as they charge us half rate and do not crowd the buses. But the frequency of these buses is very poor as the buses are few. Travelling by ‘pilot’ without a personal insurance policy (not given to senior citizens) is a very risky decision. One does not know if he will reach us home safely or be dropped on the road as the pilot sways from side to side in and out of traffic. That leaves us with no option but to travel by auto-rickshaw. An auto-rickshaw charges a minimum of Rs 60 for a one way trip of just half a kilometer. I pay Rs 70 (sometimes even more) for a distance of less than a kilometer (Mapusa market to Feira Alta – Civil Court). A one way trip from Panjim to my place costs Rs 400, more than a railway ticket to Mumbai. They state that they have to go back empty to their designated stand, and cannot park at another stand. But they always pick up passengers on the way back to their stand thereby fooling the public and earning three times the fare…With the interest rates on bank deposits going lower and lower, senior citizens are finding it hard to make ends meet.
Why can the Regional Transport Department not insist on the use of meters that are already installed in the auto-rickshaw? The RTO must do away with the designated stands and permit them to stop or park at any stand. I am sure they will increase their incomes as has been the case with auto-rickshaws in Belgaum and some towns in Maharashtra. I put this plea to the RTO on behalf of the public, especially senior citizens. Kindly help.
