Anyone in Mumbai who takes Public Transport to work, especially cabs and autos knows how hard it is to find one, especially at the times when you need it the most. These cabbies or auto drivers flatly refuse people wishing to travel short distances and openly flout all the traffic rules and regulations. During the peak hour and the rush hour when people are scrambling to get to work or reach home at a decent hour, they are often held ransom by these drivers.
It is not that there are not enough cabs or autos in Mumbai city, it is just that you can't find one during peak hour. I have heard countless people in the Mumbai suburbs complain about this menace. I for one have often picked up a fight with many a auto drivers, especially when I am in a hurry and I have literally forced myself in an auto refusing to budge unless the driver takes me to my destination if choice. Further I have often swore and cussed at all the drivers who refuse to take me to my destination. I have even tried complaining about one particular driver to the authorities, but to no avail.
This was until Mid-Day, the popular news paper in thee city decided to address this issue and teamed up with the Traffic Police Mumbai and bring the offenders to book. Since a last few weeks they have set a up a special team of constables at places where this nuisance of cabbies and auto drivers in most chronic and started fining the errant drivers. This drive initially started with the cabbies and was very successful and popular among the general public. Needless to say the cabbie drivers were not amused and tried to come up with a novelty of excuses to wriggle their way out of fines. The drive has since last couple of weeks shifted to the suburbs and the errant auto drivers are now being taken to task.
This act by Mid-Day team has led to some relief for thousand of commuters who take autos and cabs everyday. I personally find it much easier now a days to find a auto when I need one. Just goes on to show how Media can take a pro-active role in helping the citizens of Mumbai. I wish that Mid-day as well as other newspapers who have been in the city for as long as one can remember continue to come up with such socially beneficial initiatives so that people like us benefit.
In the mean time if you ever come across a cabbie or an auto driver who refuses to ply to your destination, you can register your complaint at 022-24937755. Once can even file a complaint at http://www.trafficpolicemumbai.org/
It is not that there are not enough cabs or autos in Mumbai city, it is just that you can't find one during peak hour. I have heard countless people in the Mumbai suburbs complain about this menace. I for one have often picked up a fight with many a auto drivers, especially when I am in a hurry and I have literally forced myself in an auto refusing to budge unless the driver takes me to my destination if choice. Further I have often swore and cussed at all the drivers who refuse to take me to my destination. I have even tried complaining about one particular driver to the authorities, but to no avail.
This was until Mid-Day, the popular news paper in thee city decided to address this issue and teamed up with the Traffic Police Mumbai and bring the offenders to book. Since a last few weeks they have set a up a special team of constables at places where this nuisance of cabbies and auto drivers in most chronic and started fining the errant drivers. This drive initially started with the cabbies and was very successful and popular among the general public. Needless to say the cabbie drivers were not amused and tried to come up with a novelty of excuses to wriggle their way out of fines. The drive has since last couple of weeks shifted to the suburbs and the errant auto drivers are now being taken to task.
This act by Mid-Day team has led to some relief for thousand of commuters who take autos and cabs everyday. I personally find it much easier now a days to find a auto when I need one. Just goes on to show how Media can take a pro-active role in helping the citizens of Mumbai. I wish that Mid-day as well as other newspapers who have been in the city for as long as one can remember continue to come up with such socially beneficial initiatives so that people like us benefit.
In the mean time if you ever come across a cabbie or an auto driver who refuses to ply to your destination, you can register your complaint at 022-24937755. Once can even file a complaint at http://www.trafficpolicemumbai.org/
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