In a bid to tackle the ongoing issue of auto and taxi drivers refusing short-distance passengers, transport expert and Co-founder of the Mumbai Mobility Forum, AV Shenoy, has called for these services to be brought under the Consumer Protection Act.
The refusal of drivers to accept short-distance trips has become a major inconvenience for commuters, with many struggling to find rides for brief travel, despite recent fare revisions meant to make transportation more affordable. Shenoy argues that bringing auto and taxi services under the Consumer Protection Act would ensure that passengers’ rights are safeguarded and provide legal recourse for those affected by such refusals.
Shenoy emphasized that while fare revisions were intended to make travel more accessible, they have not addressed the persistent issue of non-compliance by drivers. He believes that a more robust regulatory framework is necessary to ensure that service providers uphold their responsibilities towards passengers.
As the city grapples with daily transportation challenges, commuters are hoping that Shenoy’s proposed measures will lead to greater accountability and a more reliable service.
“The Regional Transport Office (RTO) must act more firmly and engage in meaningful discussions with union leaders to ensure that all passengers, regardless of the trip’s length, are accepted,” Shenoy stated. “The complaint process should be simplified to make it more accessible for commuters.”
Shenoy proposed a solution to ease the burden on passengers. He suggested that the minimum fare for auto and taxi services, which currently accounts for a distance of around 1.5 km, be reduced to 0.5 km. This would allow passengers to pay a lesser fare for shorter trips. Additionally, he recommended an improved complaint mechanism, where passengers can take a photo of the vehicle’s number plate and upload it to the RTO website, detailing the location and time of denial. For repeated offenses, Shenoy proposed that a driver’s license be suspended for three days.
Similarly Mansoor Darvesh, a passenger activist said, “The Taxi and auto Driver hardly Follows the Rules and Regulations, Their Unoins Are very Strong so they do what they like, if somebody Complaints against any Driver RTO don’t take any Seriously Action that”
“Several auto and taxi drivers in the city engage in overcharging practices and refuse short-distance passengers, despite fare increases. Despite fare revisions, their attitudes remain unchanged. Stricter regulation of auto-rickshaw and taxi operators is necessary to ensure better service standards and fairness in the system.” – Vidyadhar Date, Senior Journalists & Transport Expert.
AV Shenoy, transport expert and co- founder of the Mumbai Mobility Forum
