Commuters arriving at Thane railway station may soon be able to avoid fare negotiations with auto-rickshaw drivers, as the Thane Regional Transport Office (RTO) has proposed introducing a prepaid auto-rickshaw facility at the station.
Under the proposed system, passengers will pay a fixed fare based on their destination before being assigned an auto-rickshaw. The initiative is aimed at reducing disputes over fares, refusals to accept passengers and arbitrary charges.
The proposal has been submitted to the state government following discussions involving Thane MLA Sanjay Kelkar, Thane Traffic Police and the RTO. Officials are expecting approval for the plan, following which the service could be launched at the railway station.
Hemangini Patil, deputy RTO, Thane, said fares for destinations located within approximately 6-8 km of the railway station have already been finalised.
Speaking to HT, Patil said, “A proposal has already been sent to the Transport Commissioner, and we are awaiting approval. Coordination with the local police and Central Railway is also in its final stage. We are ready with all the planning and infrastructure and can start the service immediately after approval. This facility will significantly reduce the hassles and disputes faced by local passengers while hiring auto-rickshaws.”
Once operational, passengers will provide their destination at the prepaid counter, pay the applicable fare and receive an auto-rickshaw. The system is expected to make the process more transparent while eliminating the need for commuters to negotiate fares directly with drivers.
The move comes amid recurring complaints from passengers about auto-rickshaw refusals and disagreements over charges. Kelkar said the proposed facility is intended to address these concerns.
“The daily disputes between passengers and auto-rickshaw drivers over refusals and arbitrary fares may soon come to an end,” he said.
The RTO is also planning additional monitoring at the station. Two officials will be deployed during peak morning and evening periods to oversee auto-rickshaw operations and respond to complaints of misbehaviour. They will work in four-hour shifts.
The monitoring mechanism is expected to improve discipline among drivers and help manage traffic movement around Thane railway station, which witnesses heavy commuter movement throughout the day.
Source: Hindustan Times
