The majority of auto drivers in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad has thrown the rules to the wind. They not only refuse short-
distance fares, but also overcharge whenever they want. The RTO and the prominent Rickshaw Panchayat leader, Baba Adhav, must stop the continuing harassment of passengers and find solutions to the genuine problems of auto drivers. Speak Up examines
The RTO imposes a huge fine on drivers who ask for extra money
Autorickshaw drivers do charge high at times, but that is only when they have to ferry customers to far-flung places like Manjri, as they are sure that they will not get a return passenger. However, if the drivers charge more for places within city limits, then it is wrong. Everybody should carry a tariff card when travelling by an autorickshaw, so that they are not duped. Secondly, if you are being overcharged, you can complain to the RTO (Regional Transport Office). The RTO imposes a huge fine on such drivers who ask for extra money.
—Baba Adhav, president, Rickshaw Panchayat
Panchayats work in favour of drivers, but fail to do so for the public
If the RTO keeps its eyes open, it will see how autorickshaw drivers in the city go wrong while dealing with passengers. They are not only rude to the passengers, but are also a menace on city roads. The traffic police also turn a blind eye when the drivers break traffic rules. For example: if you take the Swargate-Mahatma Phule Mandai route, you will see that rickshaws are illegally ferrying passengers on share-a-seat system, but nobody is taking any action against them. From railway station and airport, it is a nightmare for passengers to make a deal with the autorickshaw drivers. The problems passengers face at these public spots are very serious. The rickshaw panchayats always look at the benefits of the rickshaw drivers, but they never understand the passengers’ problems. When the police start checking rickshaw meters, they oppose police action; it shows that they are tampering with the meters to cheat passengers.
—Dnyanraj Sant, secretary, Grahak Hitvardhini
We keep a record of errant drivers and take strict action against them
We have a cell to deal with this problem and the staff comprises three persons who look after grievances from 11 am to 6 pm.
After the cell receives complaints, it issues notices to the drivers and the owners of the vehicles and penalises them on the basis of the gravity of the complaint. We can slap them with a minimum fine of Rs500 and have the power to suspend their licences.
We have a ‘wanted’ register that has the names of
errant drivers. We take strict action against them, if
they do not approach the authorities in the given time. We also suspend the licences of drivers who repeat the offences.
—Arun Yeola, regional transport officer
If citizens register a complaint, we can definitely help them
We do not have any right to take action against errant autorickshaw drivers, but if a citizen contacts us and registers a formal complaint, then we can definitely help him / her. Recently, a resident of Nigdi-Pradhikaran area had complained to us that his family was inconvenienced by the autorickshaw stand in front of their house. We immediately took action in the matter, and shifted the autorickshaw stand to some other place. But it is difficult to take action in cases of overcharging or refusal to ply, as we do not know for sure what transpired between the commuter and the driver. So, it becomes difficult to ascertain which party is at fault.
—Baba Kamble, president, Maharashtra Rickshaw Panchayat
Complaining to the authorities has not done any good so far
As a regular user of autorickshaws, I have faced a lot of problems. But, complaining to the authorities has not done any good so far. I had called on the RTO helpline and registered a complaint. But, I did not get any response from them. Even if they acted on my complaint, I was not informed about it. There have been two instances where I have complained to the traffic police, but they were not very helpful either. I think that stringent laws and proper
implementation of those laws will help put an end to harassment of citizens by autorickshaw drivers. I think serious consequences, such as permanent suspension of licenses, for refusing passengers and overcharging them, will help bring a drastic change in the behaviour of autorickshaw drivers.
—Sunmeet Singh Chowdhary, resident of Kondhwa
Immediate need to implement ply-by-meter system in PCMC
It is a big problem in Pimpri-Chinchwad, as autorickshaws here do not follow the ply-by-meter system. Drivers overcharging passengers is the most common complain here. There is a need to implement the ply-by-meter system in the twin township. Another problem with the drivers is that they drive rashly, as they are in a hurry to stand in the queue again.
—Abhijit Pathare, software engineer, resident of Nigdi-Pradhikaran
Often, the driver has taken a longer route to charge more
I stay in Pune Camp area, and often take an autorickshaw to Wanavdi or around the Camp area. I have observed that
autorickshaw drivers refuse to ply short-distance fares. It is a huge problem for senior citizens, as there is no other option, and we are not able to walk also. The other problem I face while coming from Wanavdi is that drivers refuse to ply by meter, and charge me as per their wish.
In the night, I do not dare to take an autorickshaw alone, as it becomes difficult for me to identify the route the driver is taking. Many a times, the driver has taken a longer route to charge me more, especially after dark. I feel the RTO and the rickshaw drivers’ associations must look into the meter tampering issue.
However, I have never had to face rude behaviour from rickshaw drivers, so the RTO and Rickshaw Panchayat must strive to make the service more safe and reliable for citizens. It is a continuous process and the RTO and panchayat cannot shirk the responsibility.
—Sulochana Kacherikar, resident, Pune Camp
Fining a few drivers will not make any difference at all
In think the RTO and the Rickshaw Panchayat are for the benefit of the autorickshaw drivers, and are oblivious to passengers’ woes.
In our city, cheating, refusing short distance fares, meter tampering, not plying by meter, unregistered drivers, overcharging for long distances, are common practices, but do the authorities take any action? Fining a few drivers or confiscating a few
tampered meters does not make any difference at all. I do not think the autorickshaw service will ever be organised, and citizens have lost all hope that it would ever be. I stay in Vishrantwadi, and if I take an autorickshaw in the day to my house from any part of the city, they always overcharge me, saying that they don’t get
return fares. I will never want my daughter, mother or wife to take an autorickshaw because I find it very
unsafe, and prefer them to take a bus instead.
—Anil Katkar, resident, Vishrantwadi
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