[sustran] SMS-auto facility to kickstart on April 10 in Chennai

[Vinay Baindur]

SMS-auto facility to kickstart on April 10 in Chennai

VIVEK NARAYANAN

[image: Nearly 1,000 autorickshaws belonging to AITUC and other unions will
be part of the 'SMS an auto' facility -- Photo: M. SRINATH]
The HinduNearly 1,000 autorickshaws belonging to AITUC and other unions
will be part of the 'SMS an auto' facility -- Photo: M. SRINATH
TOPICS

Passengers will be picked up from doorstep for just Rs. 10 above meter fare

Starting Thursday, city residents will be able to hail an autorickshaw with
their mobile phones.

By simply sending a text message, passengers will now be picked up from
their doorsteps, at an additional cost of just Rs. 10 above the meter fare.
The service will be available 24x7.

Nearly 1,000 autorickshaws belonging to the All-India Trade Union Congress
and other unions will be part of the 'SMS an auto' service.

Those who wish to avail the service can send an SMS to 9944733111, with the
pincode of their locality and the name of the area they wish to travel to.
"For example, if you are in Anna Salai and wish to travel to T. Nagar, your
SMS should read '600002 space T. Nagar'.

Within 15 seconds, the commuter will get an SMS with the contact numbers of
autorickshaw drivers in the locality.

"The commuter can then call the driver directly. After reaching her/his
destination, the passenger can pay as per meter and give an additional Rs.
10 as service charge," he says.

Passengers will not have to bargain with the drivers or wait for an
autorickshaw in the sun," says K. Navaneethan, a technology partner for the
SMS facility.

The autorickshaw driver too will have to send an SMS to indicate his
availability. "All the drivers are verified by us," says Mr. Navaneethan.

The facility will also ensure autorickshaws do not ply empty.

"After dropping off a passenger, the driver needs to message us a
particular code, so we know his location. His contact number will then be
given to other commuters in the area," says J. Seshasayanam, secretary of
Madras Metro Auto Drivers' Association, affiliated to AITUC.

Though commuters are happy, they are unsure about how well the service will
function.

"It is helpful for senior citizens, of course. But the number of
autorickshaws engaged in the service does not seem like much," says M.
Seshadri, a resident of Adyar.

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