Short-ride refusal continues to throw a spanner in commute
Despite the Mumbai Traffic police’s recent claim of taking action against over 52,000 autorickshaw drivers for refusing nearby fares, many passengers still face difficulties in finding rickshaws willing to ply short distances at metered rates.
Late in 2023, the Free Press Journal ran a campaign against taxis and autos that refused short-distance fares. Following up on the extensive campaign on Friday, the FPJ team visited various locations – Ghatkopar, Kurla, Sion, Bandra, and Andheri – and discovered drivers either demanding
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whimsical fares or bluntly refusing to ferry short-distance passengers.
Commuters were vocal about their dissatisfaction, emphasising the need for sustained action against errant auto-rickshaw drivers. According to them, the menace of non-compliant drivers could only be addressed through consistent enforcement measures.
A passenger activist said, “This discrepancy between claims of the traffic police and the experiences of commuters highlights a persistent problem. While crackdowns and enforcement measures are important, they must be accompanied by sustained efforts to address the underlying reasons behind the behaviour of auto-rickshaw drivers.”
The rickshaw drivers, however, seem to have their hands tied. Many drivers operate on thin margins which may not be financially viable, a rickshaw union leader explained. “There may be a lack of awareness or understanding among drivers about the importance of adhering to metered fares,” the union leader added.
Refusal for plying short distances is a longstanding issue that requires immediate attention through sustained efforts targeting errant rickshaw drivers. One-off drives won’t bring about change. Traffic police must intensify vigilance, ensuring continuous action. Taking action against 52,000 rickshaw drivers is merely a statistic; real progress demands ongoing commitment. Mohammad Afzal,
Transport expert