kochi the day when a commuter is able to hire an auto paying just rs 5 or rs 10 to reach metro rail stations and other destinations in kochi is not distant the kochi metro rail ltd kmrl has secured a government order go to start share auto service in a legal manner after setting up a cooperative society of auto drivers this would help passengers reach various destinations without shelling out much money while the drivers would be able to get rid of the looters tag kmrl authorities have invited applications from auto drivers to become members of the society as a preliminary step we will impart training for 280 auto drivers on how to behave with passengers and fellow motorists they would also be given classes on road safety then auto drivers would be deployed for conducting feeder services of metro rail in the city an official associated with the project said they can join the society by filling an online application then their applications will be scrutinized by us we will check whether the applicant has any criminal background eye sight clearance also would be a prerequisite for giving membership he said also read ola adds autoconnect wifi to ola autos as per the plans the auto drivers may not have to work roundtheclock they will have to work just eight hours moreover they would be eligible for a few days of paid leave every month the official said there are many people who hire autos and ply in the city now the society to be floated will hire autos and allot it to the drivers who dont own one the rate we have fixed per passenger is rs 10 we hope that we would be able to slash it further to rs 5 once electric autos are introduced he said earlier the share auto system didnt have legal backing this would create problems especially when the vehicle meets with accidents now considering our request the state government issued an order allowing share auto system legal he said the kmrl in association with a banking agency is planning to provide loans to the wives of auto drivers for starting selfemployment units first round of talks with the bank has been completed they are ready to provide loans for starting three types of projects such as catering units tailoring units and setting up tuition centres the educated ones can start tuition centres while others who have the skills for tailoring and catering can start units accordingly a source said also read ola launches heroes of ola initiative to felicitate outstanding driver partners the metro authorities are learnt to have held talks with oil companies for giving discount for auto drivers if the auto drivers buy fuel as a collective the companies are ready to give them discounts this will help them eke out a living sources said the plan is to bring around 15000 autorickshaw drivers under the society those in perumbavoor aluva angamaly north paravoor vypeen fort