Thane launches prepaid auto service at railway station

Thane transport department has flagged off a prepaid auto-rickshaw facility at Thane railway station, ensuring passengers get confirmed rides without facing refusals or overcharging. Commuters can visit a dedicated office under the Satis structure, state their destination and pay a fixed fare. A message is then relayed to a registered auto driver waiting in queue, who picks up the passenger with no further negotiation over fares or destination.

BJP MLC Niranjan Davkhare and MLA Sanjay Kelkar thanked Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik for approving the initiative, which had been under consideration for two years. Deputy RTO Rohit Katkar said the system transfers the fare to the driver's account before the day ends. A roughly 20% premium is charged to passengers, passed on as an incentive to drivers. Around 100 drivers have subscribed, and the service is managed through Cityflo.

Fare refusals, especially on short-distance routes, are a common complaint. A similar facility was attempted at Thane and LTT a few years ago after the murder of a female techie at LTT but was discontinued. The administration expects more drivers to join based on the service's popularity.