Mumbai: With autorickshaw and taxi fares revised from Sept 1, commuter rights group Watchdog Foundation has urged the Regional Transport Office (RTO) to launch a dedicated mobile app to tackle the growing problem of auto-rickshaw refusals.Advocate Godfrey Pimenta of Watchdog Foundation said refusals have become a daily ordeal for commuters, with an estimated six to seven auto drivers refusing rides out of every 10 approached by passengers. Senior citizens, women, students and those carrying luggage are among the worst affected, he said. The group has proposed a simple digital complaint system requiring only the vehicle registration number, automatic capture of date, time and GPS location, and a one-click “Refusal to Ply” option. Passengers could also upload a photograph of the vehicle’s registration plate.According to the foundation, complaints against repeat offenders can be automatically flagged for enforcement action. The group said such a system would improve accountability, deter habitual offenders and help authorities identify refusal hotspots across the city, restoring commuters’ confidence in Mumbai’s public transport system.
