It sits there looking at you, almost apologetically, as if trying to say, “I’m sorry, but there’s nothing I can do; I’m just a relic now”. You see the numbers 1400 written on its sad face-numbers that haven’t changed for over a decade. And numbers that won’t change for many decades to come

Unless we do something about it. We can. And we should.

If taxis, local trains, buses and even share autos have a fair system of deciding rates, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t have auto meters. After all, autos in all of India’s major cities charge by the meter. So why the special treatment for the people of Chennai? We, just like everyone else, are on the move (now more than ever).

Why should we pay more than what’s required for getting from A to B?

All we ask for is to be charged fairly for a “savaari”. And the only way that is possible is with an auto meter.

The Times of India is kicking off an initiative to bring back this long-forgotten, as-good-as-fossilized object, just so the people of Namma Chennai can travel fairly, without making bargaining a daily ritual. Movements aimed at resurrecting the auto-meter have previously been put into action. It’s now upto us to take it on a war footing. We believe that you will stand with us.

We’re fast reaching a point when an auto ride to the next street will run into a 3-digit fare. So if you don’t mind paying Rs. 200 for a 20-rupee trip in the near future.

However, if you do mind, it’s time you did something about it.

To show your support please visit www.facebook.com/MissingMeter