Women-only autos launched at Kaushambi prepaid booth

The regional transport office (RTO) launched a new prepaid autorickshaw service exclusively for women with a fleet of 54 vehicles from the Kaushambi bus depot.

The regional transport office (RTO) launched a new prepaid autorickshaw service exclusively for women with a fleet of 54 vehicles from the Kaushambi bus depot on Monday. Officials said the service, aimed at making commuting safer for women, will be available round-the-clock.

A fleet of 54 autorickshaws has been set up exclusively to provide safe transport for women. (Sakib Ali/HT Photo)

The RTO has also sought the help of the traffic police in providing safer commute for women and has shared the details of the drivers operating the fleet for verification.

“Names and phone numbers of all drivers have been listed with us. We have cautioned the autorickshaw drivers about penalties for violating traffic rules. Identity cards have also been issued to drivers and the same can be checked by women who board the vehicle,” said Anil Kumar, traffic inspector.

The autorickshaw service will ferry commuters to Vaishali, Vasundhara, Indirapuram, Sahibabad, Bhopra, Loni, new Ghaziabad bus stand, old bus stand and Vijay Nagar areas.

“Police verification of all autorickshaw drivers has been done. The tariff has been set at Rs. 10.4 per kilometre from 6 am to 10 pm and Rs. 13 per kilometre from 10pm to 6am,” said Mayank Jyoti, regional transport officer, Ghaziabad.

“Two security guards will be deployed at the prepaid booth throughout the day. Passengers availing this service will be issued a slip that will include important details — registration number of the autorickshaw, details of the driver, their destination and tentative drop time at the destination,” Jyoti said.