The shortage of metered autos has added to the commuting difficulties for passengers arriving at the two busy suburban railway stations, particularly during peak hours. 

Lesser frequency of meter-based auto-rickshaws forced passengers to wait longer or opt for shared autos

At Kandivali railway station in Kandivali West, commuters were seen facing inconvenience due to the limited availability of metered auto-rickshaws outside the station. 

Many commuters rely on auto-rickshaws for last-mile connectivity after their train journey and the situation on Monday highlighted the dependence of suburban commuters on autorickshaws for connectivity 

The situation was reported near Kandivali and Malad railway station, where commuters also struggled to find metered auto-rickshaws. Shared autos, meanwhile, continued to ferry passengers from the station area

A similar situation was reported near Malad railway station in Malad West, where commuters also struggled to find metered auto-rickshaws. Shared autos, meanwhile, continued to ferry passengers from the station area

As per reports, under the revised rates, the minimum autorickshaw fare will rise by Re 1, from Rs 26 to Rs 27 for the first 1.5 km, while the per-km rate for subsequent distances will be Rs 18

The reduced availability of metered autorickshaws comes amid ongoing RTO enforcement drives against violations by autorickshaw and taxi operators

The enforcement measures are aimed at ensuring compliance with transport rules and regulations

However, the resulting reduction in the number of autos operating around busy railway stations has raised concerns among commuters who depend on them for their daily journeys

The situation outside Kandivali and Malad stations reflects a wider challenge for Mumbai's suburban commuters: ensuring dependable last-mile connectivity between railway stations and residential and commercial areas

Mumbai's suburban railway network carries millions of passengers, but many commuters still rely on autorickshaws, taxis, buses and other modes of transport to cover the distance between stations and their final destinations

While shared autos have continued to serve commuters at Kandivali and Malad, passengers seeking individual metered rides were reportedly fleeced

The developments near Kandivali and Malad have therefore brought renewed attention to the need to balance regulatory enforcement with adequate availability of public transport options for passengers.