Mumbai Citizens' Group Urges RTO to Launch App to Tackle Auto Refusals

Commuter rights group Watchdog Foundation has urged the Regional Transport Office in Mumbai to launch a dedicated mobile application to curb the increasing frequency of auto-rickshaw refusals across the city, following the revision of autorickshaw and taxi fares implemented from September 1.

Advocate Godfrey Pimenta of the Watchdog Foundation stated that ride refusals have turned into a daily struggle for commuters throughout Mumbai. According to the foundation, an estimated six to seven auto-rickshaw drivers refuse to take passengers out of every ten approached on the street.

Pimenta noted that senior citizens, women, students, and passengers travelling with luggage face the greatest difficulty due to these routine rejections by drivers.

To tackle the issue, the citizens' group has submitted a proposal to the transport authorities recommending a streamlined digital complaint mechanism. Under the proposed system, commuters would only need to submit the auto-rickshaw's vehicle registration number alongside an automated capture of the date, time, and GPS location. The app would also feature a one-click "Refusal to Ply" reporting option and allow users to upload a photograph of the offending vehicle's number plate.

The foundation highlighted that such a digital platform would enable authorities to automatically track and flag repeat offenders for strict enforcement action.

According to the group, introducing this mobile tool would boost driver accountability, discourage habitual offenders, and help transport officials pinpoint specific refusal hotspots across Mumbai to restore passenger confidence in the city's public transport network.