Mumbai Officegoers Witness Long Bus Queues, Over Priced Auto Fares On First 'Public Transport Day' at BKC

On the first day of the 'Weekly Public Transport Day' initiative launched to promote the use of public transport in the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) area of Mumbai, commuters have complained about auto rickshaw drivers charging exorbitant amounts instead of charging according to the meter.

On Friday morning, June 12, a commuter posted on social media outside Tilak Nagar railway station, claiming that an auto driver refused to install a meter and demanded a fare of ₹300 for the journey to BKC. The driver allegedly refused after the passenger requested to charge according to the meter and then offered to charge ₹200 per passenger for a shared ride.

Meanwhile, another commuter also claimed that such incidents are happening frequently near Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) and Kurla railway station. According to the complaint, the fare for the short-distance journey from LTT to Kurla East is about ₹45 to ₹50 according to the meter. However, passengers are often asked to pay up to ₹100.

This is causing displeasure among commuters travelling by train and relying on auto rickshaws for last-mile connectivity.

Replying to a complaint on social media, the Mumbai Police said it has taken cognizance of the matter and has forwarded the relevant information to the BKC Traffic Department.

In its reply, the police said, "Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention. The BKC Traffic Department has been informed for necessary action."

These complaints have come to light at a time when the 'Weekly Public Transport Day' initiative has been launched in BKC in collaboration with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority and the World Resources Institute India.

Under this initiative, office workers in BKC will be encouraged to use local trains, metro, buses and shared transport services instead of private vehicles every Friday. This is expected to reduce traffic congestion, reduce pollution and promote sustainable travel patterns.

However, commuters say that to ensure the success of this campaign, it is essential to improve last-mile connectivity and ensure that fares in auto rickshaws are charged according to the meter.