Now Reading: Mumbai to show-cause Rapido over auto fare complaints
-
01
Mumbai to show-cause Rapido over auto fare complaints
Mumbai commuters have alleged that auto-rickshaw drivers refuse short metered trips but accept the same rides through aggregator Rapido at higher fares. Transport Commissioner Rajesh Narvekar said the department will issue a…
Mumbai commuters have alleged that auto-rickshaw drivers refuse short metered trips but accept the same rides through aggregator Rapido at higher fares. Transport Commissioner Rajesh Narvekar said the department will issue a show-cause notice to Rapido and take action. Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik termed the alleged practice overcharging and said it will be examined.
Commuters said they are left with no choice when multiple drivers refuse short-distance rides on the meter. Rapido declined to comment on why a passenger was charged Rs 76 for a short Goregaon-Oberoi Mall ride when the metered fare is around Rs 40. The transport department will examine Rapido's fare structure for such rides.
Illegal bike-taxi services continue to operate in Mumbai using regular number plates, with safety concerns over passengers not receiving helmets. The services also do not follow the requirement to use electric two-wheelers.
Indian Opinion Analysis
This is not a new pattern. Auto unions in Mumbai have long resisted metered short trips, pushing passengers toward aggregators that charge surge or platform fares not regulated by the state. The Maharashtra transport department has the authority under the Motor Vehicles Act to set auto-rickshaw fares and regulate aggregators, but enforcement has been weak. If the show-cause notice leads to fare caps on Rapido, it could set a precedent for Ola and Uber autos. The key question is whether the government will mandate meter-based pricing for all app autos or allow dynamic fares with a cap. The notice is expected within weeks.
Source: freepressjournal.in
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
