Drivers take to lying to save self from being fined, commuters come forward to file complaint

MiD DAY Test Drive: Week 4, Day 2

Drivers take to lying to save self from being fined, commuters come forward to file complaint

It was Day 2 of Week 4 of the campaign launched by MiD DAY and Radio One along with the traffic police and the Regional Transport Office and 32 offenders were booked.

MiD DAY team started the campaign opposite Jyoti Hotel at NIBM road. It was quite hot and not many autorickshaws were in sight.

The first few drivers got booked for refusing fare. The reporters then moved towards Mayfair Eleganza society where five others were booked.

The drivers that were subsequently booked had refused short distance fares. In the morning it was relatively easier to get auto rickshaws. In the evening over-charging and refusals were rampant.

Here's What we found

REPORTER: Alifiya Khanu00a0
PLACE: Bakers Point (NIBM road)u00a0
TIME: 10 AM-11.30 AMu00a0
OFFENDERS BOOKED: 6
The first driver initially refused to go to Viman Nagar, but later agreed when he saw a traffic police officer approaching. Another driver refused fare to a young lady. The commuter, 26-year-old Meena Bhatnagar, then approached the reporter and filed a complaint against the driver who had asked her to shell out Rs 30 for one-km distance. Soon after another commuter, Naseema Khan, who was refused by three auto drivers to ply to Kondhwa Khurd, helped book a driver for refusing fare.

Reporter: Abid Hasan
Place: NIBM road, next to Jyoti Hotel
Time: 11 PM-12.30 PM
OFFENDERS BOOKED: 7
The reporter approached a number of rickshaw drivers and asked them to ply him to Meetha Nagar in Kondhwa which is quite close. A majority of drivers refused. They all said that they were waiting for a long time and didn't want to go a short distance. One of the rickshaw drivers tried to bribe the reporter. As soon as he saw a traffic police officer approaching, he asked the reporter to let go off him in return for which he would ply him for free to his desired destination. "Usko bolna maine refuse nahin kiya," he said slyly winking at the reporter.

An errant driver is booked for refusing fare from Jyoti Hotel to NIBM road

Reporter: Sonia Rodrigues
Place: Lulla Nagar
Time: 4.15 PM-6.15 PM
OFFENDERS BOOKED: 12
A driver was asked to go to Chandni Chowk but he asked for half return fare while another driver wanted Rs 40 extra. The reporter also tried hailing rickshaws for Hadapsar but the drivers flatly refused. Most of them didn't want a long distance fare.
u00a0
Reporter: Abid Hasan
Place: Gera Junction signal
Time: 4.30 PM-6.30 PM
OFFENDERS BOOKED: 7
According to the residents, drivers always refuse long distance fare to Pashan, Yerawada, Bavdhan. They agree onlyu00a0 if the residents shell out more. Two auto drivers wanted half return fare while others asked for some extra money as a tip.

MiD DAY will be running this daily campaign to ensure that YOUR commuting problems are eased. Watch this space for our daily campaign.

To register your complaint
Call 020-26208225

This is an exclusive number given by traffic police to MiD DAY readers to register refuse-to-fare complaints.

You can also send us your complaints at punemail@mid-day.com.
To send in your complaints by SMS:
Type RTO, followed by space, your complaint and send it to 59994.

Join the Campaign on Facebook

The community
The community on Facebook is called 'MiD DAY's Fight Against The Rude Rickshaw Wallas' and it has grown to have 499 followers.
SOME COMMENTS
RITAM CHAKRABARTY: This past Friday... i had to go to Gokhalenagar from Pune Univ Circle. The rick refused... i whipped out mu phone... took a couple of steps back and looked at the number-plate... and viola ... "chalo sir baith jao"
Kudos to team MD!
CINDERELLA DSILVA: Finally a group against these guys..They need to be taught their lesson..

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