Will Mumbai's autos and taxis get GPS meters?

Autorickshaw drivers stand in queue to get their meters recalibrated at a temporary RTO centre in Vikhroli on March 5. Pic/Ashish Raje

The state transport department, faced with a low response to the tedious fare meter recalibration, on Monday said it could consider introducing GPS-based meters to the city and the surrounding regions. It will examine the feasibility after meeting with the manufacturers of the GPS-enabled device.

Autorickshaws and taxis in the city and the surrounding regions at present have digital meters, which contain a chip that needs to be replaced every time the fare is revised. Auto and taxi drivers have been reluctant in getting their meters recalibrated due to the high cost and the tedious process. With GPS meters, any change in the fare calculator can be updated automatically.

"It will be difficult to do this [recalibrate] every year if the fare rises. The option of GPS meters can be explored, if found feasible. We will call a meeting with manufacturers of GPS meters to see if it will work. If the process begins now, we could study it," Maharashtra Transport Commissioner Avinash Dhakne said. If found feasible, it could be implemented following necessary approvals of the state government.

The state government has directed the drivers in the city to recalibrate their fare meters before May 30. Currently, nearly 2 lakh autos and 40,000 taxis operate in the city.