Mumbai: Complain online against Auto and Taxi drivers refusing fares

Mumbai, Oct 7: "Bhaiya Kandiwali chalenge"? And he drives off right on your face. Each one of us has experienced this several times while commuting. But this might bring some relief to our woes!

Mumbai's transport department is getting ready to build a website where users can lodge a complaint against taxi and auto-drivers who refuse fares.

According to DNA, the new system will provide complainants with a complaint number to ensure that users can check if their complaint has been dealt with and what is the progress. The complaints will be classified on case specifics, such as "complaints about excessive fares, refusal to ply, rude behaviour and meter tampering".

Currently, citizens can dial 1800-22-0110 to fill a complaint.

The complaints will be fast-tracked

While an e-system is definitely needed to file complaints, users are often unable to note down the number of the taxi or the auto as the driver will just zoom past. In light of this, the traffic police is also using women cops in civilian clothes to nab such drivers.

The department is also recommending that cab-drivers and auto-drivers who have more than three complaints against them should have their licences suspended. TOI reported that according to the DCP (traffic-suburbs) Pratap Dighavkar, "To prevent such auto drivers and cabbies from repeating the offence, we plan to write to the RTO recommending that the driving licences of those who are booked more than twice be suspended."

According to RTOs across the city, the number of complaints has reduced, despite the large number of refusals. However, this decline in complaints being registered could be due to the taxing process of following up says sources. The new online system will ensure that passengers no longer need to make repeated visits to the RTO to follow up on a complaint.

The complaints will be fast-tracked and if the driver decides to contest the charges against him, the complainant can simply find out logging into the website.

OneIndia News