Mumbai Auto Drivers Use Newly Learnt Marathi to Refuse Rides in Suburbs

Auto drivers across Mumbai, including in Kurla, have begun using newly acquired Marathi vocabulary to turn down passenger fares after attending Regional Transport Office (RTO) language classes.

The drivers spent nearly a week learning basic Marathi in the RTO-run sessions. However, some have turned their lessons into a fresh repertoire of excuses to decline trips across the city's suburbs.

In Kurla, one auto driver scribbled down what he described as essential Marathi phrases on paper. A significant portion of the list was dedicated to turning down commuters. The prepared phrases included excuses such as "mala jevayla jayche aahe" (I need to eat), "mala lagvi la jayche aahe" (I need to use the restroom), "mala ghari jaychay" (I need to go home), "mala gas bharaychay" (I need to refill CNG), and "mala riksha durust karaychi aahe" (I need to repair the auto).

Ride refusals remain a major challenge for suburban commuters, accounting for 60% of all passenger complaints. The refusals regularly impact daily commuters, including office-goers, students, senior citizens, and women, particularly during peak transit hours.

The drivers' study sheets also contained operational phrases needed for daily navigation and transactions. These included basic queries and instructions such as "hoy, basa" (yes, please sit), "kuthey jaychay?" (where do you want to go?), "to kuthe aahe?" (where is that place?), "ujvi kade gheu?" (should I take a right?), "davi kade gheu?" (should I turn left?), and "flyover varun gheu ka?" (should I take the flyover?).

Additionally, drivers noted essential fare-related terms, including "sutte dya" (please give change) and "sutte nahi" (I don't have change).