While auto drivers continued with their errant ways, MiD DAY found some passengersu00a0 who were bribing the drivers to break the queue and ply them, inconveniencing others

Place: Ghatkopar Station (W)
Time: 9 am - 11 am
Offenders caught: 22
Commuters speak:
N Sakanya, a Naval officer, said, "Instead of making stupid excuses about their meters being faulty, the rickshaw drivers should repair them. Recently, my wife who was ill was refused on the grounds that people were waiting in the queue. However, the same driver, jumped the queue when another passenger asked him for Goregaon."


Sorry saheb: An errant driver pleads with the cops.
Pic /Sayed Sameer Abediu00a0
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Pragati Sharma, an employee at a private firm, MIDC, said, "The buses are always crowded. So my colleagues and I opt for share-rickshaws from the station. With the rickshaw stand barely operational, the drivers refuse to ply by meter."

Auto drivers speak:
Lal Bahadur Saroj, who was booked for taking passengers out of the queue, said, "I was not aware of the rickshaw stand in Ghatkopar, as my vehicle is from Vashi. Now I will have to run around to get my licence back."
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Sardar Shaikh, who was fined for a similar offence, said, "The passenger was in a hurry and said that he would pay me extra, hence I agreed. However, a traffic cop caught me."
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Masudin Ansani, who was booked for parking in a no parking area, said, "Since the passenger lacked change, I stopped near a shop to get the money. The traffic police have now fined me Rs 100 for it."
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Ashok Karab, who was caught for plying without a badge, said, "I left my house in hurry and forgot my badge. I had to pay a fine of Rs 300."


Never again: A rickshaw driver got the message loud and clear after he
was penalised for refusing to ply. PIC /Pradeep Dhivar

Spot of bother:
Kishore Anand, who was on his way to Saki Naka, had to seek cop's help to get an auto. However, Anand was in for a rude shock as the rogue driver asked him alight midway. "Do whatever you want to, but I will not go to Saki Naka. I have to go elsewhere," is what the errant driver told Anand. "It is totally unacceptable if the driver leave us in the lurch. Luckily, I was asked to get off nearby, so I came back."
Text: Maleeva Rebello

Place: Outside Family Court, Bandra (E)
Time: 9 am - 11 am
Offenders caught: 13
Commuters speak:
Ashish Jain said, "Getting a rickshaw is easy from selective places, but only during daytime. None of them agree to ply during evening hours, when we are rushing home."
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Savita Sharma said, "Despite the recent Rs 50 paise hike in the fair, the rickshaw drivers continue to harass passengers and extort more money."

Auto drivers Speak:
Ramvilas Verma: "I am ready to ply, but only if you pay me extra as I don't get return fare."

Mohammed Shaikh: "I generally don't ply from this area, and hence don't know the way."

Spot of bother:
'I got some urgent work and have to head home', 'My meter's not working properly', 'I'm running out of gas', were few of the excuses given by the auto drivers for justifying their refusal to ply.
Text: Dazy Verma

Place: Andheri Station (E)
Time: 9 am - 11 am
Offenders caught: 25
Commuters speak:
Neelambari Jadhav, who works in a diamond assortment company, said, "I am tired of waiting every morning for a rickshaw, to ply me to my destination. Auto drivers are least interested in plying to nearby locations such as Pumphouse or Bisleri Junction, as it fetches them less sum."