Latest news with #ThampyKurien
Time of India
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Autorickshaw union plans to launch app to tackle refusal menace in Mumbai
The Mumbai Rickshawmen's Union on Sunday announced its plan to launch an app aimed at combating the refusal menace. The app will assure commuters of a ride and allow autorickshaw bookings while ensuring payment is made only by the RTO-approved meter. Union leader Thampy Kurien, who proposed the idea to the transport department , is set to demonstrate it to officials at Mantralaya this week. "Unlike Ola and Uber, our app will not calculate fares that are low, very high, or dynamic in nature. It will merely book an auto and ensure pickup from your doorstep or wherever you are waiting. After the pickup, the driver will flag down the meter and take you to the destination, collecting the actual fare as per the meter, " Kurien told TOI. The union is also considering introducing a convenience charge, potentially a nominal Rs 5 per trip for app usage. It will seek MMRTA approval for any fare above the RTO-approved meter fare, said Kurien. He explained that the app's necessity arises after a series of refusals by auto drivers. Police statistics indicate there were nearly 4.7 lakh challans in 2024 for refusals by autos and taxis, with auto refusals accounting for over 70%. A senior transport official said they will review the app and, if it proves beneficial to commuters and auto drivers, there should be no issue in granting clearance. Kurien further indicated that he plans to challenge Ola and Uber autorickshaws operations in the city in Bombay high court. These vehicles do not operate by the meter despite drivers possessing state badges and permits, which require that vehicles function "only by the meter". Uber and Ola officials were unavailable for comment. Kurien also plans to petition the transport department to regulate autorickshaw operations outside railway stations. "At present, there are three different groups of autos – one which stands in queue and picks up passengers with no questions asked, the other which picks up while on the go, and a third group of cartel which parks autos at a distance and demands hefty share fares for popular destinations such as Linking Road, beaches, waterfronts, promenades, etc," he said. "We want govt to have a single queue outside all railway stations. If autorickshaws do not want to join this queue, they will have to drop passengers and leave the station precincts immediately. Those in queue should observe discipline and ferry all passengers – short or long distance," he added.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Autorickshaw union plans to launch app to tackle refusal menace in Mumbai
Mumbai: The Mumbai Rickshawmen's Union on Sunday announced its plan to launch an app aimed at combating the refusal menace. The app will assure commuters of a ride and allow autorickshaw bookings while ensuring payment is made only by the RTO-approved meter. Union leader Thampy Kurien, who proposed the idea to the transport department, is set to demonstrate it to officials at Mantralaya this week. "Unlike Ola and Uber, our app will not calculate fares that are low, very high, or dynamic in nature. It will merely book an auto and ensure pickup from your doorstep or wherever you are waiting. After the pickup, the driver will flag down the meter and take you to the destination, collecting the actual fare as per the meter, " Kurien told TOI. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai The union is also considering introducing a convenience charge, potentially a nominal Rs 5 per trip for app usage. It will seek MMRTA approval for any fare above the RTO-approved meter fare, said Kurien. He explained that the app's necessity arises after a series of refusals by auto drivers. Police statistics indicate there were nearly 4.7 lakh challans in 2024 for refusals by autos and taxis, with auto refusals accounting for over 70%. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Interested in Investing? Cyprus Offers Many Options Cyprus Invest | Search ads Undo A senior transport official said they will review the app and, if it proves beneficial to commuters and auto drivers, there should be no issue in granting clearance. Kurien further indicated that he plans to challenge Ola and Uber autorickshaws operations in the city in Bombay high court. These vehicles do not operate by the meter despite drivers possessing state badges and permits, which require that vehicles function "only by the meter". Uber and Ola officials were unavailable for comment. Kurien also plans to petition the transport department to regulate autorickshaw operations outside railway stations. "At present, there are three different groups of autos – one which stands in queue and picks up passengers with no questions asked, the other which picks up while on the go, and a third group of cartel which parks autos at a distance and demands hefty share fares for popular destinations such as Linking Road, beaches, waterfronts, promenades, etc," he said. "We want govt to have a single queue outside all railway stations. If autorickshaws do not want to join this queue, they will have to drop passengers and leave the station precincts immediately. Those in queue should observe discipline and ferry all passengers – short or long distance," he added.
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."
