Nahi chalenge nahi chalega!

Three months after MiD DAY started its successful 'Meter Down' campaign against errant cab and auto drivers across two cities, another campaign 'Meter Jam Time to say NO!' is now gathering momentum across the country. As it takes off today, we ask citizens and autorickshaw drivers what they think of it

Autorickshaw drivers refusing customers is not a new thing, but when passengers decide to give a tit for tat, it's an entirely different story.

As part of the 'Meter Jam Time to say NO!' campaign which takes off across the country today, Bangaloreans will take on uncouth auto drivers to teach them a lesson.

If all goes well, the campaign would continue every week, which is indirectly garnering support from even the transport department officials.

We spoke to various people including transport commissioner, autorickshaw unions and drivers and also a few citizens about their views on the campaign and if they support it.

Opinionsu00a0on the campaign

Around 22 lakh people travel by autorickshaws in the city everyday. People have more anger towards rickshaw drivers mainly for reasons like tampered meters, refusal to ply and for their rude behaviour. How many of them will actually refuse to board a rickshaw is the question. This is just a beginning; maybe one day the public will teach them a lesson.
Bhaskar Rao, Transport Commissioner

We are here to serve the public. But at night, if a passenger asks us to go in the opposite direction when we are going back home, we will have to turn them down. I think the public have taken the right step to teach errant drivers a lesson.
D N Sridhar, an auto driver who was not aware of the campaign

I am a big supporter of rickshaws, since I travel a lot in them. People should try to build a rapport with them
S Vishwanath, General Secretary, Outer Ring Road Companies Association

It won't make much difference to me as I hardly travel by autos. These auto drivers should change their attitude. This should happen on a regular basis
Ramesh Krishnamurthy, Executive

Many drivers have day-to-day earnings. If the campaign is a success, a lot of them will suffer. But still, I think it's a good step
Mahantesh, rickshaw driver

Who is the leader for this campaign? It's only been on the Internet. Why should we believe it? This is wrong because poor drivers will be affected. We had a meeting on 'Meter Jam' yesterday and have requested all the drivers to take passengers wherever they want to. The fares have been increased so the drivers should behave properly and serve the public promptlyu00a0
M Manjunath, president, Adarsha Auto and Taxi Drivers Association

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