200 drivers penalised every day: Police

The traffic police said on Tuesday that they penalise 200 taxi and rickshaw drivers on an average every day for refusing fares.

The traffic police said on Tuesday that they penalise 200 taxi and rickshaw drivers on an average every day for refusing fares.

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Acting on complaints from commuters, the police kicked off a drive in August against drivers who refused to ply. Police officers said they have also started counselling drivers who were fined, but the number of complaints remains high.

Refusing a fare is punishable with a fine of up to Rs 200 and a suspension of the licence. You can post a complaint on the traffic police’s website (www.trafficpolicemumbai.org) or the Facebook page they’ve set up.

“We are filing cases and penalising more than 200 drivers every day. We are trying to reason with those who refuse commuters,” said Brijesh Singh, additional commissioner of police (traffic). “We assure commuters that we will take action against errant drivers.”

Commuters, however, said drivers continue to refuse fares. One indicator is the Facebook page that is flooded with complaints. “We take action promptly. The campaign started two months ago and it will take some time to change drivers’ mindsets,” said a traffic police officer. “We call the drivers to the traffic police headquarters and then take them to the Regional Transport Office for further action.”