MUMBAI: Commuters are fuming over rampant refusals by autos and taxis in various parts of the city, especially outside railway stations when one expects seamless connectivity for last mile destinations. Whether it is those asking cabbies outside Grant Road station or those pleading with auto drivers outside Ghatkopar or Andheri station, refusal is a major menace. What has frustrated commuters most is the fact that these drivers recently got a fare hike.
The minimum fare for autos has gone up to Rs 26 and taxi to Rs 31 with a Rs 3 hike approved in February 1.
Describing a harrowing experience a few days back, a woman commuter said she was refused by at least three cabbies outside Grant Road station and was left stranded when she had an urgent visit to hospital. “Incidents like these are frustrating for commuters. Also, there is no alternate mode of transport as bus stops have long queues due to bus shortage and poor frequency of BEST,” an activist pointed out.
Commuter rights activist Anil Galgali said the mechanism of getting complaints redressed must change. “After you send a WhatsApp or mail complaint, the authorities call you and verify, and the procedure could be lengthy. Instead, they should trust the commuter and take quick action against errant drivers. Also, they should identify all such drivers in that particular area and impose penalties,” he said.
Advocate Godfrey Pimenta, a passenger rights activist, said, “Autorickshaw refusal, especially for short distances, is a widespread issue in the suburbs. Mumbai traffic police and RTO need to enhance awareness by using social media, newspapers, and local FM radio stations to educate commuters about their rights and how to report refusals.”
Galgali further said many without uniforms and permits were driving vehicles without any fear of the law. “In some areas, there is a cartel of drivers, and instead of driving for an entire shift, the drivers look at opportunities to fleece commuters and get a single hefty earning for the day,” he added.
Activists say 8 in 10 taxi/auto drivers rebuff passengers, particularly during peak hours when demand for public transport is high. Statistics for 2024 show that cops issued over 39,000 challans to cabbies for refusals. The four city RTOs issued showcause notices to 1,500 auto-taxi drivers across Mumbai for refusals last year, but the crackdown by enforcement agencies has not served as a deterrent. Commuter rights activists demanded continuous checks by RTO and traffic police to keep tabs on refusals and other offences such as fleecing of commuters at airports, LTT and Bandra Terminus and also against those behaving rudely.
Commuters informed Mumbai Mirror recently that with ride-hailing services such as Ola and Uber not readily available for booking, kaali-peeli taxi operators exploit the situation and are now either declining passengers or insisting on “fixed tariffs” ranging from Rs 100 to Rs 500, which are more than double the normal fare.
A senior transport official said the department has launched WhatsApp and dedicated helplines in every RTO across Mumbai, replacing the erstwhile singular toll-free number. This initiative has galvanised complaints from commuters, and we prioritise every case, whether it pertains to refusal or overcharging. “We have initiated punitive measures in hundreds of cases in the preceding year and will persist in levying fines and revoking permits of errant drivers,” an official said.
RTO has also established a dedicated squad to confront unscrupulous drivers at Bandra-Kurla Complex and in the vicinity of Bandra east station. However, BKC commuters allege that such campaigns are “temporary” as rogue drivers wait for special drives to fizzle out and violations continue unabated.
