Suburbs to get 31 new share-an-auto routes

Here is some good news for commuters. The state transport authority has approved 31 more share-a-rickshaw routes in the suburbs. Of these, 15 will in the eastern suburbs and 16 in the western suburbs.

Here is some good news for commuters. The state transport authority has approved 31 more share-a-rickshaw routes in the suburbs. Of these, 15 will in the eastern suburbs and 16 in the western suburbs.

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The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Transport Authority (MMRTA) headed by SK Sharma has approved these new routes in a meeting on Thursday.

Transport commissioner VN More confirmed the development saying they wanted to ensure convenience of the commuters travelling short distances.

More added that apart from the 31 new routes in Mumbai, 28 routes in Thane city and 125 in Panvel had been cleared as well. In the eastern suburbs, the new routes will start from Mulund, Ghatkopar, Chembur, Govandi, Mahul and few other areas. In the western suburbs, it will be in areas such as Borivli, Andheri, Vile Parle, Bandra and Dahisar.

In share-a-rickshaw scheme, the fare between two particular points get divided in three passengers, therefore it is considered as a cheaper option for daily commuting. Even auto drivers prefer to ply sharing autos as they get 33 % extra fare per commuter. The transport department had asked the Hakim panel to recommend a formula for deciding fare for share-a-rickshaw and taxis. However, the panel suggested that existing formula be retained.