Various problems with public transport inu00a0suburbs force commuters to hitch rides

After the incident where a woman was raped on Thursday, RTA is now planning to check each and every spot in suburbs and deal with the issues that concern commuters. This includes issues like tampering with meters, extra charges and refusal to go despite standing at auto stands.

Owing to the poor public transportation in the suburbs, most people take lifts in private vehicles. Others spend a huge amount of money on auto rickshaw fares and also spend long hours waiting for one.

Althea D'Costa, Senior Software Associate, working at Phase II, Hinjewadi, spends almost Rs 7,000 per month on transport. "I have to pay either half return fare or an extra Rs 20 or 30 to auto drivers, as they claim that they do not get any passengers while returning, otherwise they don't agree. I know many people who, to save some money, take lifts from private vehicles."

The officials from RTA and PMPML do not agree that the number of commuters opting for private vehicles has increased because of poor transportation system and has in turn resulted in increased number of incidents of theft, eve teasing and rape.u00a0u00a0

The PMPML spokesperson said, "PMPML buses are available on 68 different routes from Hinjewadi to Katraj."