Guntur: Auto drivers concerned over decline in patronage

Guntur: Auto-rickshaw drivers are facing severe financial problems due to decline in patronage. The outbreak coronavirus has led to people not hiring auto-rickshaws.

The auto-rickshaw drivers are struggling to meet their ends, leave maintenance of their vehicles. The drivers complain that they are forced to buy at least one sanitiser every day, a mask, in addition to diesel and paying rent for the vehicle. They complained that they are unable to pay rents for the vehicles due to decline in demand for auto-rickshaws.

Driver Kandula Gopi said, "Train and bus services have not fully resumed. Similarly, cinema theatres, schools, colleges, coaching centres have not opened. As a result of it, the demand for auto-rickshaws have been falling. The police are allowing more than two persons in the auto-rickshaw. Passengers are not ready to pay higher amount. They are used to sharing auto-rickshaws. They used to pay Rs 10 to Rs 20 per passenger in the city before lockdown was enforced. Now we are unable to attract passenter."

Another auto driver M Vali said, "If train and buses services are restored, demand for autos will increase. At present shopping malls, jewelry shops have not opened. It will take some more time to pick the business. At present there is no business for auto. There are four thousand auto-rickshaws in Guntur city. Out of which nearly 2500 auto-rickshaws were plying due to lack of demand. Due to coronavirus and lockdown, we are not demanding higher price as earlier. Due to lackdown, there is no work for the last 70 days. I have borrowed Rs 30,000 to feed my family. The government extended financial assistance to those auto-rickshaw owers only.

Another auto-rickshaw driver S Subhani urged the government to extend financial assistance auto-rickshaw drivers.