Thane station may soon get prepaid autos

The proposal has been submitted to the state government following discussions between Thane MLA Sanjay Kelkar, the Thane Traffic Police and the RTO

Thane: Commuters in Thane could soon skip the usual fare bargaining with auto-rickshaw drivers, with the Thane RTO planning to start a prepaid auto stand at Thane railway station. The proposed service will allow passengers to pay a fixed fare for their destination before being allotted an auto-rickshaw.

Thane, India - August -23, 2026: Residents of Thane have been facing regular hassles while hiring auto-rickshaws from Thane railway station to their homes or offices. Before hiring an auto, passengers often have to negotiate fares with drivers, who allegedly demand high fares or refuse to take passengers to certain destinations. To address the issue, the Thane RTO has planned to introduce a prepaid auto-rickshaw stand at Thane railway station. Under the proposed system, passengers will pay a fixed fare in advance for their destination and will then be allotted an auto-rickshaw. This will eliminate the need for passengers to negotiate fares or deal with refusals from drivers. ,in Thane ,in Mumbai, India, on, Sunday, August -23, 2026. ( photo by Praful Gangurde / Hindustan Times ) (Praful Gangurde)

The proposal has been submitted to the state government following discussions between Thane MLA Sanjay Kelkar, the Thane Traffic Police and the RTO. Approval for the proposal is expected to be granted today.

Hemangini Patil, deputy RTO, Thane, said the fares for destinations within about 6-8km of the station have already been finalised.

Speaking to HT, Patil said, “A proposal has already been sent to the Transport Commissioner, and we are awaiting approval. Coordination with the local police and Central Railway is also in its final stage. We are ready with all the planning and infrastructure and can start the service immediately after approval. This facility will significantly reduce the hassles and disputes faced by local passengers while hiring auto-rickshaws.”

Kelkar said the move was aimed at addressing frequent complaints from passengers.

“The daily disputes between passengers and auto-rickshaw drivers over refusals and arbitrary fares may soon come to an end,” he said.

Additionally, the RTO will also deploy two officials at the station during peak morning and evening hours to monitor auto-rickshaw operations and address complaints of misbehaviour. The officials will work four-hour shifts. The move is aimed at improving discipline among auto-rickshaw drivers and managing traffic around the station.