A new prepaid auto-rickshaw service has started at Thane Railway Station, giving commuters a new option to avoid one of the most common problems after getting off a train — arguing over the auto fare.
The service, launched on Monday, is designed to make auto travel from the station more organised by telling passengers the fare before they begin their journey. The initiative is being run jointly by the Late Vasantrao Davkhare Auto-Taxi Driver-Owner Federation and the Thane Regional Transport Office (RTO).
The project is also being managed with the help of Cityflo, which will use technology to handle the fare and operational system.
What is a prepaid auto service?
In a normal auto ride, passengers may have to negotiate with a driver, check the meter or calculate the fare after reaching their destination.
Under the new prepaid system, the passenger is expected to know the applicable fare before getting into the auto.
This means there should be less uncertainty about how much the journey will cost and fewer chances of arguments between passengers and drivers over the final fare.
The service has been introduced specifically at Thane Railway Station, so it does not mean that every auto-rickshaw across Thane has suddenly moved to a prepaid system.
How will it help passengers?
The biggest change for commuters is that the fare is made clear before the journey starts.
For a passenger, the process is expected to work in a simple way:
- Reach the prepaid auto stand at Thane Railway Station.
- Provide the destination.
- Check the fare before starting the journey.
- Get an auto through the prepaid system.
- Travel to the destination without having to negotiate the fare at the end.
The system is intended to reduce the confusion and arguments that can occur when passengers and drivers disagree over the fare.
No more guessing the fare?
One of the main purposes of the initiative is to bring transparency to auto fares.
Commuters often want to know the cost of a ride before they leave the station. The new system is designed to provide that information upfront rather than leaving passengers to find out the final amount after reaching their destination.
Technology will be used to standardise the fare calculation and manage the service.
What about long queues of autos?
The initiative is also aimed at making the auto stand more organised.
Officials and the auto federation have been working on the system for nearly two years. One of the problems being addressed is the unorganised movement and queuing of autos around the railway station.
A dedicated prepaid stand and commuter help desk have now been established at the station.
What does the system mean for auto drivers?
The change is not only aimed at passengers.
Under the new arrangement, the daily earnings of participating drivers are planned to be transferred directly into their bank accounts at the end of their shifts.
According to MLC Niranjan Davkhare, the system was modified during its development to take into account the daily cash-flow requirements of auto drivers and their families.
More than 100 auto-rickshaw drivers and owners registered for the service on its first day, according to reports.
Why was the service introduced now?
The prepaid auto project follows repeated complaints and discussions over passenger convenience, fare disputes and the management of autos outside Thane Railway Station.
The plan had faced administrative and technical hurdles because there was no earlier framework of this kind at the station. Officials and the auto federation continued discussions before the system was finally put into operation.
Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik was thanked for providing the necessary approval for the facility, according to the organisers.
What should Thane commuters expect?
For passengers using the prepaid stand, the main expected benefits are straightforward: know the fare before travelling, avoid fare bargaining, get an auto through an organised system and have a dedicated help desk if assistance is needed.
The bigger test will be how smoothly the system operates as more drivers and passengers start using it.
For now, the prepaid facility is a station-based initiative at Thane Railway Station and is being presented as a technology-enabled way to make the passenger-auto interaction more transparent and organised.
