Why not extend autorickshaws to whole of Mumbai!?

Question

Acknowledging that Autorickshaw is a economical mode of transport coupled with easy maneuverability, City of London has recently started operating autorickshaws procured from Pune. We are the ones harping on possible traffic congestion in the Central and South Mumbai by the sneaking autos (but the BEST buses ply in narrowest congested lanes in Kalbadevi area creating havoc every day, this is acceptable!).

With the major Railway termini (Dadar, Cantral and CST) falling in this no-auto zone, taxis have a field day and say in fleecing the gullible passengers, especially the new comers to Mumbai and those wanting to go to Vashi and beyond and up to Panvel.

Auto service should be extended to whole of Mumbai with free connectivity and accessability to and from Navi Mumbai which will come as a boon not only to railway passengers but also to those who wish to visit relatives in the suburbs but cannot afford taxi fares or bus/local train congestions.

Answer 1

Interesting question!

Autos are economical but are major headaches when it comes to traffic management due to sheer number and manuverability. They would try to sneak into any visible gap in traffic virtually stopping the whole traffic dead. The biggest example is Hyderabad. Sudden rise in the number of two and three wheerlers in Hyderabad have made dirving horrible and have increased travel time 3 folds.

Mumbai being a much bigger city with a larger volume of automobiles on road would come to stand still if 40000 autos start plying between Bandra and Churchgate/Colaba (I believe autos are not allowed beyond (south of) Mahim causeway. As such that part of Mumbai is the narrowest geographically and the roads are not wide enough to hold the existing vehicle volume. The BEST buses though bigger are better because they can carry much a larger load of passengers compared to the footprint.

Also educating auto drivers to drive better and follow rules is practically impossible. Changing lanes suddenly and swerving in and out of traffic are traits that can never be erased.

But I do agree with you about the problems faced by long distance train passengers and others you have specified. I suggest take a taxi to Bandra and then take an auto.

Answer 2

The taxi driver's union is too powerful and will never allow it.

Answer 3

That's an excellent question! Personally, I'm all for it.