Now, share an auto to BKC-Mumbai

The daily hassle of standing in a line to get an autorickshaw to take you to Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) or arguing with autorickshaw drivers who refuse to ply will soon end. From September 1, the state transport department will start 11 new routes — including BKC, the new business hub — for
share-a-rickshaw and will take measures to ensure that the existing 75 share-a-rickshaw stands in the city operate properly.
"We are aiming to start new routes for share-a-rickshaw from September," said Transport Commissioner Dilip Jadhav.



On Friday, the transport department gave clearance to 11 share-a-rickshaw stands in Bandra (East).
It is now formulating tariffs for the routes which is being done by the Regional Transport Offices (RTOs).
For instance, a commuter pays Rs 5 in a share-a-rickshaw from Bandra station (West) to Linking Road, otherwise one pays the minimum fare of Rs 11.

The move will help commuters who are at the mercy of autorickshaw drivers while trying to reach their offices in the morning and scurrying home in the evening rush hour.
"The BKC has developed as a business hub over the years. So we are starting new routes for share-a-rickshaw scheme here," said an RTO officer.
The Regional Transport Office (RTO) staff will monitor the share-a-rickshaw service and ensure that drivers follow the rules.

"The RTOs should ensure that the drivers follow the share-a-rickshaw service even if it means for short distances," said Rohan Singh, a resident of Kandivli.
The drivers are expected to maintain discipline, proper queue, drive out of the station area without obstructing movements of passer-bys and avoid traffic snarls.

This would increase the carrying capacity to three people from only one passenger.

The RTOs are expected to maintain vigil over these drivers for running this service, along with their campaign against drivers refusing to ply.
The proposal to start shuttle service on the western and central suburbs for long-distance travel on Western and Eastern Express Highways is also on the cards but it is not feasible.

We found that such shuttle services aren’t feasible as rarely does a commuter travel such long distances especially during morning or evening peak hours," said a RTO officer.

The transport department has planned 100 new share-a-rickshaw routes across the eastern and western suburbs which would begin in phases.