Complaint? Cabbie could lose licence

The next time a taxi or rickshaw driver refuses to take you to your destination, just call 1800220110. Shashank Rao reports.

The next time a taxi or rickshaw driver refuses to take you to your destination, just call 1800220110.

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The 24-hour helpline has been set up by the Transport Department and complaints ranging from refusal of fare to rash driving can be registered on it. It also covers errant Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) bus drivers.

Officials said, based on the severity of the complaint, the action that can be taken ranges from fines to cancellation of the driver’s licence.

Complainants will have to provide details like the time and place of the incident, the vehicle number and the driver’s badge number.

The Transport Department’s compliance team would have to get back to the complainant within 15 days and inform him or her of the action taken against the driver or vehicle owner.

The state will invoke provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act to take action against offending drivers.

“We used to get several complaints against rickshaw and taxi drivers. If needed, we will make the rules more stringent,” said Transport Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil.

The rules would be amended on the basis of the complaints received on the toll-free number.

Once the investigation is complete, the Transport Department will first penalise the offending driver. In case of a second offence, his licence would be suspended. If there is a third offence, the licence would be permanently cancelled.

This, the department hopes, will ensure that drivers think twice before refusing fares, overcharging commuters or misbehaving with them.

On Thursday, Chief Minister Ashok Chavan launched the helpline, the call centre of which is headed by Regional Transport Office inspector.