Meter jammers geared up to pool cars, bikes

BOYCOTT 170 citizens have signed up their vehicles to prop, pick up fellow jammers

Mumbai:
Soon after organisers of the Meter Jam campaign uploaded a carpooling to on their website on Wednesday morning, registrations began pouring in.

More than 170 citizens had signed up their cars and bikes till 9 pm on Wednesday, offering to drop and pick up fellow jammers along certain routes on August 12, to help in the successful boycotting of taxis and autos for a day.


Between the carpoolers, most of the city and suburbs seem to be well covered, as rides are being offered along locations throughout the city.

However, commuters may face a difficulty in getting lifts in the evening, on their way home from work, since almost all carpoolers have volunteered their rides in the first half of the day, between 6 am and noon.

"The database of carpoolers was too big to complete proper background checks, so we have asked all jammers online to be very careful while sharing a ride with others," said Abhilash Krishnan, one of the organisers of the campaign, "Safety is far more important than denying an auto."

Prayas Kalani, a media professional who has volunteered his car from Malad (west) to Mahim (west) in the morning, has put up a Meter Jam sticker on his bumper to flaunt his solidarity to the boycott.

"I usually give lifts to stranded commuters during the monsoon, so I did not hesitate at all while signing up," he said.

A large number of jammers are also fixing up carpools with their friends and colleagues through Facebook discussions.
Campaign organisers have also put up a mobile number to which jammers can SMS at the end of the day, reporting whether they participated successfully or not.

NUMBER OF SUPPORTERS

Report your jamming success

SMS Meterjamcity Yes/no to 9223172141 at the end of the day to report if you succeeded in the boycott or not.

The International Consumer Rights Protection Council, a nonprofit organisation for citizens, has joined the Meter Jam campaign along with 7000 of its members.

They have also started a service for senior citizens, who can ask for details about BEST bus numbers and routes by sending an SMS to 8080423516. The bus info will be sent to them within 5 minutes.

Jammers Code (from the Meter Jam Facebook page)

Jammers will skip autos and taxis on Auguts12 but will NOT force others to do so.

Jammers are law abiding citizens who will NEVER vandalise public property and display promotional posters only after getting permission to do so.

Jammers are responsible citizens who are responsible commuters if needed.

Jammers will not inconvenience public in any way by gathering in large groups or chanting slogans.