Vasai-Virar autos to run on meter from November 15

Mumbai's transport minister mandates auto rickshaws in Vasai-Virar to charge per meter rates from November 15, addressing long-standing fare issues.

Mumbai: Ahead of local body polls, state transport minister Pratap Sarnaik on Monday announced that auto rickshaws in Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC) will have to run on meter and charge passengers as per the rates set by the state government, from November 15 onwards.

Vasai-Virar autos to run on meter from November 15

For years now, auto-rickshaw passengers in the region have been facing issues with drivers charging exorbitant rates even for short distances. Following several complaints from residents, BJP MLA from Vasai Sneha Dube on Monday approached Sarnaik, requesting him to look into the matter. Subsequently, he called for a meeting with officials from the transport department and traffic police from the Vasai-Virar region.

In the meeting, Dube highlighted that auto drivers charge unreasonably high rates and refuse to charge as per meter rates decided by the state government, creating trouble for lakhs of people depending on auto rickshaws for commuting.

Following the meeting, Sarnaik announced that share-auto rickshaws will be allowed to run on routes from railway stations to various places for rates that are currently being charged. For those rickshaws taking separate rides, it would be mandatory to run on meter and charge passengers accordingly, he said.