3 yrs on,prepaid auto service back at station

“The new model envisaging no extra cost will ensure that the system works smoothly as it is in other cities,” RTA member Baba Shinde said.

Travelling between 12 midnight and 5 am will see half the return charges being included. “If the distance costs Rs 42,the customer will have to give Rs 21 extra for the night travel.” he said. “The proposal has been approved and we will be working out the modalities with the railway officials.”

With a detailed map being prepared and data of all autorickshaw drivers at hand,it will ensure safety as well as restrictions on those not registered with the RTO.

“There are 45,000 registered autorickshaws in the city while nearly 10,000 autorickshaws are plying without registration. In Pimpri-Chinchwad,there are 5,500 registered autorickshaws,while around 7,500 ply without registration,” said Shinde.

Commuters hope the new services will be well executed. “Earlier,the rates were exorbitant and ugly scenes were common after reaching the destination,”said Varun Bhide,a resident of Kothrud. Pushpalata Naik from Shivajinagar said if there was any change in the destination,then the auto drivers used to pick up a fight on the tariff.

“The new move will benefit only the registered autorickshaw drivers. If monitored well,we stand to benefit,and the citizens can feel secure,” said Bapu Bhave,chairman of the Rickshaw Federation.

A separate parking system for the autorickshaws is being worked out at the railway station.