Only 263 plaints against auto drivers in 3 yrs

R 97,000 fine recovered in 119 cases registered on Vashi RTO helpline

VASHI: The Vashi Regional Transport Office ( RTO) helpline number, which was launched in 2011 to register commuters’ grievances, has recorded 263 calls till date, revealed data available with the RTO.

Of the total complaints registered, 119 cases have been closed and a fine of Rs96,780 has been recovered, stated the data.

Around 70% of the complaints registered with the RTO are related to auto drivers refusing to ply and charging commuters more than the meter fare, said an RTO official.

“Initially, most of the complaints we got were related to auto drivers not plying by meter. But now, after most of the autorickshaws have been fitted with e- meters, we get complaints of auto drivers refusing to ply,” said the official, requesting anonymity.

“At several areas in the city, auto drivers don’t charge as per the tariff card and also refuse to ply. Even f or a minimum- fare distance, they charge double the amount,” said Pragati Deshmukh, a Vashi resident.

Commuters, who wish to l odge a complaint against any errant auto driver, have to send an SMS to the helpline number 9969854555 mentioning details including the auto’s registration number, the problem, the date, time and location of the incident. Once the complaint is registered, a notice is issued to the errant auto driver and he is booked under t he Motor Vehicles Act. The auto driver is asked to pay a fine of Rs500 within 15 days, which can compound if the auto driver fails to pay the fine at the RTO within the stipulated time.

“The helpline number was initiated for commuters to lodge their complaints and help us get hold of auto drivers flouting the RTO’s rules and regulations,” said Sanjay Dhaygude, deputy regional transport officer, Vashi RTO.

“We take action against auto drivers who refuse to ply, ferry more passengers than the permissible limit, do not ply by meter, over charge commuters, do not display tariff cards, do not wear their uniform and badge and also if they do not carry the vehicle’s insurance and fitness papers,” added Dhaygude.