Auto unions moot prepaid services from six locations

The state transport department and autorickshaw unions in Mumbai are considering the introduction of prepaid auto rickshaw services from six locations across the city. The move aims to address issues such as overcharging and misconduct by rogue auto drivers. Details of the driver and vehicle will be recorded at the prepaid booth for safety reasons, and a committee will be set up to determine fares.

Mumbai: The state transport department and autorickshaw unions are exploring the possibility of starting prepaid services from six locations across the suburbs.

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On Tuesday, auto unions met principal secretary (transport), Parag Jain-Nainutia, to discuss starting prepaid services from Bandra Terminus, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, international and domestic terminals of Mumbai airport, state transport bus depots in Borivali and Kurla.

These locations see a huge rush of passengers with luggage, who are usually taken for a ride by unscrupulous auto drivers, either on a shared basis or regular fares.

Mumbai Rickshawmen’s Union leader, Thampy Kurien, who led the delegation, said, “We want to eliminate the issues created by these rogue auto drivers, who fleece passengers. We discussed the idea of having prepaid auto rickshaw booths at these six locations.”

The need for prepaid autos from these locations rose as there is little control over the share and regular autos, in addition to frequent complaints against them.

Sources said the state will look into the suggestions of creating new prepaid auto stands, where commuters will have to pay a one-time fare before the journey and details of driver and vehicle will be noted by the prepaid booth for safety reasons.

A committee is likely to be set up to decide the probable fares of the prepaid autos. While the government is proposing a certain percentage hike on base fare, the unions said the government can also ask for an initial amount ₹20 or so and then charge rides as per meter to limit the confusion.

For instance, from both Bandra and LTT, there are multiple complaints on various issues that people face, while travelling in auto rickshaws. These include overcharging, taking more people than designated and not charging by meter among others.

At the airport, the autos have separate queues for shared and regular ones. Sources said that the share autos charge extra for luggage. While the regular rickshaw drivers accept a ride based on their whims. Earlier, the only prepaid auto stand was being operated at LTT, which stopped eventually.