KEEP TABS ON YOUR AUTO FARE, ROUTES
G-Auto has begun installing 3G tablets in its rickshaws to inspire confidence among passengers against getting overcharged; tabs will be linked to police helpline, too
Yogesh Avasthi
Posted On Monday, July 29, 2013
http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/article/2/20130729201307290208536063a970b32/KEEP-TABS-ON-YOUR-AUTO-FARE-ROUTES.html
Most woes of Amdavadis who travel by autorickshaw are likely to be addressed soon. G-Auto, the social umbrella brand of about 10,000 autorickshaws in Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar and Vadodara, is introducing a hi-tech GPS-based 3G tablet which will take care of problems like overcharging by drivers and their taking longer routes to inflate fare, besides introducing a slew of other facilities to help passengers.
The tab will be installed in 100 autorickshaws by August 7, when there will be a roadshow of such autos from C G Road to S G Highway. The facility will be gradually extended to other autos, too, according to Nirmal Kumar, founder and managing trustee of Nirmal Foundation which runs G-Auto. The new system means there will be an electronic tab on the driver’s side. The tab will work on GPRS.
KNOW WHERE YOUR AUTO IS
The new system will track the proposed route of the auto. If commuters call for an auto equipped with the new mechanism, they will know its location and estimated time of arrival. It will also display the shortest route to a passenger’s destination, thus detering drivers from taking longer routes.
This service is also handy if you are expecting guests, since you would know how far away they are. G-Auto application is already available for free for smart phones. Once downloaded, you need to put in your number, to trace your guests.
NO MORE OVERCHARGING
These tabs would be endowed with digital meters, meaning passengers would know the exact fare to their destination. This is expected to curb overcharging. In addition, an e-receipt would be texted to the passenger’s cellphone at the press of a key, at the end of a ride.
This could be kept as a record as some companies seek evidence of travel expenses. The cameras in these tabs will allow drivers take photographs of passengers, which will be stored on the GAuto server as a record of their identity. It could help cops trace criminals, trouble-makers or even terrorists in times of need, Kumar said.
ENTERTAINMENT, OF A KIND
Passengers would hear age- and gender- specific advertisements. Besides, current fares will be announced every few kilometres, as will breaking news. Speakers placed near passengers will allow them to hear the news and fare. Dissatisfied passengers can press an emergency key to seek help from the nearest G-Auto centre.
Said Kumar, “The initial plan is to put these applications in 100 autos. This technological innovation is likely to increase transparency, provide better facilities to customers, and help in maintaining law and order as we will link emergency number to the police as well. If needed, one can call up the police directly for help.”
Devang Soni, an auto driver who has already installed the tab, said, “The total transparency of the new system will increase passengers’ confidence and the driver’s credibility. Those drivers who charge more won’t be able to do so anymore.”
Aditya Patel, a city-based businessman, said, “My profession requires constant travelling for which I usually call G-Auto rickshaws. I observed this new feature a few days ago. It’s very good. No driver can cheat the passengers now. It has safety features, too, like an emergency number. It’s very helpful to the people.”
Yogesh Avasthi
Posted On Monday, July 29, 2013
http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/article/2/20130729201307290208536063a970b32/KEEP-TABS-ON-YOUR-AUTO-FARE-ROUTES.html
Most woes of Amdavadis who travel by autorickshaw are likely to be addressed soon. G-Auto, the social umbrella brand of about 10,000 autorickshaws in Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar and Vadodara, is introducing a hi-tech GPS-based 3G tablet which will take care of problems like overcharging by drivers and their taking longer routes to inflate fare, besides introducing a slew of other facilities to help passengers.
The tab will be installed in 100 autorickshaws by August 7, when there will be a roadshow of such autos from C G Road to S G Highway. The facility will be gradually extended to other autos, too, according to Nirmal Kumar, founder and managing trustee of Nirmal Foundation which runs G-Auto. The new system means there will be an electronic tab on the driver’s side. The tab will work on GPRS.
KNOW WHERE YOUR AUTO IS
The new system will track the proposed route of the auto. If commuters call for an auto equipped with the new mechanism, they will know its location and estimated time of arrival. It will also display the shortest route to a passenger’s destination, thus detering drivers from taking longer routes.
This service is also handy if you are expecting guests, since you would know how far away they are. G-Auto application is already available for free for smart phones. Once downloaded, you need to put in your number, to trace your guests.
NO MORE OVERCHARGING
These tabs would be endowed with digital meters, meaning passengers would know the exact fare to their destination. This is expected to curb overcharging. In addition, an e-receipt would be texted to the passenger’s cellphone at the press of a key, at the end of a ride.
This could be kept as a record as some companies seek evidence of travel expenses. The cameras in these tabs will allow drivers take photographs of passengers, which will be stored on the GAuto server as a record of their identity. It could help cops trace criminals, trouble-makers or even terrorists in times of need, Kumar said.
ENTERTAINMENT, OF A KIND
Passengers would hear age- and gender- specific advertisements. Besides, current fares will be announced every few kilometres, as will breaking news. Speakers placed near passengers will allow them to hear the news and fare. Dissatisfied passengers can press an emergency key to seek help from the nearest G-Auto centre.
Said Kumar, “The initial plan is to put these applications in 100 autos. This technological innovation is likely to increase transparency, provide better facilities to customers, and help in maintaining law and order as we will link emergency number to the police as well. If needed, one can call up the police directly for help.”
Devang Soni, an auto driver who has already installed the tab, said, “The total transparency of the new system will increase passengers’ confidence and the driver’s credibility. Those drivers who charge more won’t be able to do so anymore.”
Aditya Patel, a city-based businessman, said, “My profession requires constant travelling for which I usually call G-Auto rickshaws. I observed this new feature a few days ago. It’s very good. No driver can cheat the passengers now. It has safety features, too, like an emergency number. It’s very helpful to the people.”
