Mumbai Metro Stations Face Auto Shortage: Commuters Stranded On Lines 2A, 7 & Aqua Line

Mumbai's metro rail network was expected to improve connectivity across the city, but last-mile transport issues continue to trouble passengers. Despite designated shared auto stands at multiple metro stations on Lines 2A and 7, passengers often find themselves stranded due to the lack of available rickshaws.

Blue-coloured boards below metro stations on the Andheri (W)-Dahisar-Gundavali route clearly indicate 'Share Auto Stand' along with a QR code and fare details. However, Hindustan Times (HT) visited several stations and found that autos were barely queuing up for passengers. This poor last-mile connectivity is a major inconvenience for daily commuters.

Shared Auto Stands Failing To Take Off

The issue is not limited to Lines 2A and 7. The Metro 3 corridor (Aqua Line), which runs underground from Aarey to Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), is also facing similar problems. Officials have claimed they are working on setting up shared auto stands at 20 locations along this route, but there has been little progress so far.

While some metro stations, including Andheri (W), Aarey, Kurar, Lower Oshiwara, and Jogeshwari East, have shared auto stands with a few rickshaws waiting, the majority of stations lack proper services. In August 2023, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Transport Authority approved shared auto-taxi stands outside 28 metro stations on Lines 2A and 7. Surveys were conducted at 17 metro stations on Line 2A and 14 stations on Line 7, following which 90 shared auto routes were approved. Parking spaces, drop-off, and pick-up points were also designated.

Authorities had planned for about 3,000 autos to operate on these routes, with four to six rickshaws at each stand. However, this has not materialised. "We will investigate the reasons why shared autos are not operating as expected," said an official from the Regional Transport Office (RTO) in the HT report.

Commuters Struggle With Inconsistent Services

Vishwas A, a Dahisar resident who regularly commutes to Goregaon by metro expressed his frustration in the same report. "Shared auto stands exist, but there are no fixed routes they follow," he said. "Regular auto drivers often refuse passengers and only accept fares for destinations of their choice."

Mumbai has around 2,60,000 rickshaws, with 1,00,000 operating on shared routes. However, shared autos departing from metro stations often do not have a stand at the terminating destination. Thampy Kurien, an auto union leader, explained, "Unlike railway stations, metro stations have lower footfall, making it less viable for auto drivers to operate on fixed shared routes."

Authorities Working On A Solution

The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC), responsible for the underground Metro 3 corridor, is coordinating with stakeholders to establish 20 shared auto routes near stations from Aarey to BKC. "We are in talks to improve last-mile connectivity," said an MMRC official. Additionally, MMRC is working on pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, including better footpaths along the BKC to Acharya Atre Chowk route in Worli. This section, part of Metro 3's second phase, is expected to open in March.

While metro connectivity has eased travel for thousands of commuters, the lack of last-mile transport solutions continues to be a major hurdle. Authorities now face the challenge of ensuring efficient and reliable shared auto services to make metro travel more seamless for Mumbaikars.