Autorickshaw union plans to launch app to tackle refusal menace in Mumbai
Mumbai Rickshawmen's Union
on Sunday announced its plan to launch an app aimed at combating the refusal menace. The app will assure commuters of a ride and allow autorickshaw bookings while ensuring payment is made only by the RTO-approved meter.
Union leader Thampy Kurien, who proposed the idea to the
transport department
, is set to demonstrate it to officials at Mantralaya this week.
"Unlike Ola and Uber, our app will not calculate fares that are low, very high, or dynamic in nature. It will merely book an auto and ensure pickup from your doorstep or wherever you are waiting. After the pickup, the driver will flag down the meter and take you to the destination, collecting the actual fare as per the meter, " Kurien told TOI.
The union is also considering introducing a convenience charge, potentially a nominal Rs 5 per trip for app usage. It will seek MMRTA approval for any fare above the RTO-approved meter fare, said Kurien.
He explained that the app's necessity arises after a series of refusals by auto drivers. Police statistics indicate there were nearly 4.7 lakh challans in 2024 for refusals by autos and taxis, with auto refusals accounting for over 70%.
A senior transport official said they will review the app and, if it proves beneficial to commuters and auto drivers, there should be no issue in granting clearance.
Kurien further indicated that he plans to challenge Ola and Uber autorickshaws operations in the city in Bombay high court. These vehicles do not operate by the meter despite drivers possessing state badges and permits, which require that vehicles function "only by the meter". Uber and Ola officials were unavailable for comment.
Kurien also plans to petition the transport department to regulate autorickshaw operations outside railway stations. "At present, there are three different groups of autos – one which stands in queue and picks up passengers with no questions asked, the other which picks up while on the go, and a third group of cartel which parks autos at a distance and demands hefty share fares for popular destinations such as Linking Road, beaches, waterfronts, promenades, etc," he said.
"We want govt to have a single queue outside all railway stations. If autorickshaws do not want to join this queue, they will have to drop passengers and leave the station precincts immediately. Those in queue should observe discipline and ferry all passengers – short or long distance," he added.
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