Latest news with #MMRTA
Time of India
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Union proposes to convert old CNG autos to electric
Mumbai: The Mumbai Rickshawmen's Union has prepared a roadmap to convert existing old CNG autos in the city to electric autos by retrofitting. It has proposed to the MMRTA to allow drivers/permit holders to convert autos to electric once they reach the lifespan of 16 years in MMR. Such autos can switch to electric and ply on roads with zero permit and no pollution for another 5-10 years, union leader Thampy Kurien said. The union has been called to the transport commissioner's office for discussions on this issue on Thursday. Also, the cost of retrofitting is around Rs 1.6 lakh, which is less than the cost of a normal auto (Rs 2.8 lakh) and an e-auto (Rs 3.8 lakh). A proposed model of a retrofitted e-auto has been approved by RTO and registered in Pimpri Chinchwad, Pune. "The union will bring this auto to Mumbai for a demo and test drive on city roads. We will ask drivers to take multiple rides on all kinds of roads—narrow lanes or the arterial road. After getting good feedback, we plan to introduce these kinds of autos in Mumbai," Kurien said. The union has also petitioned the govt to set up more charging stations and will also push for battery swapping stations in the suburbs. Battery swapping can save significant time compared to charging an electric vehicle, particularly for electric three-wheelers. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Treatment That Might Help You Against Knee Pain Knee pain| search ads Find Now Undo by Taboola by Taboola While charging can take hours, battery swapping can be completed in just a few minutes. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai The city has nearly 3 lakh autos in the suburbs, with many of them nearing the lifespan of 16 years, after which they have to be phased out from the roads. "We are asking MMRTA to allow the autos to continue in electric mode so that the owners/drivers can continue to earn a livelihood," Kurien added. A source from the auto trade said: "There is one problem with having autos running on battery. There is no need for a permit in such vehicles, although they are registered with green number plates. So, these vehicles can ply in MMRTA as well as go to the far-off villages and operate."
Time of India
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Mumbai Rickshawmen's Union proposes to convert old CNG autos to electric
Mumbai: The Mumbai Rickshawmen's Union has prepared a roadmap to convert existing old CNG autos in the city to electric autos by retrofitting. It has proposed to the MMRTA to allow drivers/permit holders to convert autos to electric once they reach the lifespan of 16 years in MMR. Such autos can switch to electric and ply on roads with zero permit and no pollution for another 5-10 years, union leader Thampy Kurien said. The union has been called to the transport commissioner's office for discussions on this issue on Thursday. Also, the cost of retrofitting is around Rs 1.6 lakh, which is less than the cost of a normal auto (Rs 2.8 lakh) and an e-auto (Rs 3.8 lakh). A proposed model of a retrofitted e-auto has been approved by RTO and registered in Pimpri Chinchwad, Pune. "The union will bring this auto to Mumbai for a demo and test drive on city roads. We will ask drivers to take multiple rides on all kinds of roads—narrow lanes or the arterial road. After getting good feedback, we plan to introduce these kinds of autos in Mumbai," Kurien said. The union has also petitioned the govt to set up more charging stations and will also push for battery swapping stations in the suburbs. Battery swapping can save significant time compared to charging an electric vehicle, particularly for electric three-wheelers. While charging can take hours, battery swapping can be completed in just a few minutes. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai The city has nearly 3 lakh autos in the suburbs, with many of them nearing the lifespan of 16 years, after which they have to be phased out from the roads. "We are asking MMRTA to allow the autos to continue in electric mode so that the owners/drivers can continue to earn a livelihood," Kurien added. A source from the auto trade said: "There is one problem with having autos running on battery. There is no need for a permit in such vehicles, although they are registered with green number plates. So, these vehicles can ply in MMRTA as well as go to the far-off villages and operate."
Time of India
03-06-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Prepaid auto services to take off at airport's T2 before June-end: MIAL
Mumbai: Prepaid autorickshaw services will begin at the city airport's Terminal 2 before the end of the month. Although clearances from state govt, MMRTA, and other authorities have been secured, works like software updates with prepaid tariffs, establishment of counters for issuing prepaid receipts, provision of seats for differently abled passengers, and a bay for luggage trolleys, as well as minor infrastructure work, remain to be completed, according to a senior official from Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) on Monday. Last month, state transport minister Pratap Sarnaik announced that the prepaid auto service would begin from T2 on June 1. He indicated he obtained all clearances and organised meetings of all stakeholders, placing responsibility on the airport authorities to initiate the prepaid stand. The MIAL official said: "We run a prepaid taxi system at the airport. As for autos, the RTO already provided us with the rate cards for different destinations, and this will be fed into our system very soon. We will be handling more autos at the airport, and therefore a proper infrastructure needs to be created to avoid chaos." NGO Happy to Help has offered its services for operating the prepaid stand. An MIAL official said their assistance may be accepted, but overall supervision and management of the prepaid auto operations would remain with the airport authorities. MIAL will also receive support from the traffic police to monitor the autos. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo "Prepaid autos will put an end to commuters being fleeced or dropped midway during their journey, as was reported in some incidents at airport's T2 in recent months," said a transport activist. "The system will regulate rogue drivers and deter those who insist on fixed, inflated fares."
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
BEST's bus fare hikes, planned for May 8, await MMRTA nod
Mumbai: The BEST plans to implement the fare hikes from May 8, if all goes well and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Transport Authority (MMRTA) minutes are signed early this week, a source from the undertaking said on Monday. "A circular has already been issued to some of the officials in traffic division with revised fare charts and instructions to implement it from May 8. However, the minutes of the MMRTA meeting was not signed on Monday, and we will have to wait and watch," a source said. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai The minimum bus fare will increase to Rs 10 from Rs 5 for non-AC buses, and to Rs 12 from Rs 6 for AC buses for 5km distance. Significantly, the hike for 50km travel will be as high as 200% for non-AC buses and 160% for AC buses. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 3 Reasons to Plug This Into Your Home Today elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Learn More Undo The minimum weekly pass will be for Rs 140, while the monthly pass for 60 trips is Rs 500, 90 trips Rs 800 and 120 trips Rs 1,100 for 5km distance. The students bus pass is Rs 200 for monthly, Rs 600 for quarterly and Rs 1,200 for six-monthly. The corporate AC bus pass doubled from minimum Rs 600 for monthly to Rs 1,200, and from Rs 1,500 for quarterly to Rs 3,000 for the 5km distance. The fare hike is likley to improve BEST's revenue by approximately Rs 590 crore. — Somit Sen
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Brace to pay double or treble BEST bus fare from next wk
Mumbai: The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Transport Authority (MMRTA) on Wednesday gave in-principle approval to the BEST bus fare hike proposal, which will double the minimum bus fare for 35 lakh daily commuters. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Fares will even treble as distances increase, said MMRTA sources, adding that the hike is expected to be implemented from next week. The minutes of the meeting are yet to be signed, MMRTA sources said. The minimum bus fare has increased to Rs 10 from Rs 5 for non-AC buses, and to Rs 12 from Rs 6 for AC buses for 5km distance. Significantly, the hike for 50km travel will be as high as 200% for non-AC buses and 160% for AC buses (see graphic). Last week, BMC chief Bhushan Gagrani, who is also BEST administrator, had approved the fare hike proposal, which was then sent to MMRTA for final nod. The fare hike is likely to improve BEST's revenue by Rs 590 crore. BEST will have to update its software for handheld ticket machines so that the new fares will be reflected on tickets issued to commuters. A BEST official said it will take a minimum of eight hours for the software and machines to be updated to reflect the revised fares. In its Wednesday meeting, MMRTA extended the deadline for recalibration of e-meters in autos/taxis in Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Sources said the deadline is being postponed by a month. Nearly 20% of autos-taxis remain with meters yet to be recalibrated, said union leader Thampy Kurien, adding: "The recalibration process started 15 days late, and therefore there was a need to extend the deadline." Dhaval Shah from Lokhandwala Oshiwara Citizens' Association said: "We are not against the fare hike, but it should go hand in hand with service improvement. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The number of services has dipped sharply — with the fleet dropping to nearly 2,800 buses. Overcrowding and poor commuting experience have to be improved. Waiting time outside Andheri East station is 20-30 minutes, and the situation is similar outside Andheri West station too. We need to increase the bus fleet ten times."
