Pune: Metro commuters are facing difficulties in the last-mile connectivity as autorickshaw drivers are either overcharging them or denying rides because most of them have not adopted the share-an-auto initiative.Aakash Sanap, who travelled from Shivajinagar Metro station, said three autorickshaw drivers denied him a ride as per the fare chart and demanded extra money. Like Sanap, many commuters have underlined this issue at several Metro stations.The fare charts have been displayed for share-an-auto rides at various stations. Parikshit Wadekar, who frequently uses Metro from Ramwadi, told TOI that he has often faced problems in getting autorickshaw rides. He emphasised on two obstacles; denial of ride by drivers and demand for extra money. Lack of proper autorickshaw services has been a prime reason for people to use their own vehicles instead of Metro, Wadekar said.However, Maha Metro has been persistently in talks with autorickshaw unions. Officials from Maha Metro said in recent discussions with these unions, they have offered to extend required assistance to rickshaw drivers at the stations to make sure that they offer services as per the fare charts. An official said, “Besides the autorickshaw unions, the dialogues are also underway with aggregators to provide the rides to commuters at fixed rates from Metro stations. Some development is expected in the next month,” an official said.Pradip Kelkar, a resident of Shivajinagar, told TOI, “There has not been any significant improvement in feeder services at Metro stations, including autorickshaw rides and PMPML buses. The fleecing was not benefiting either commuters or autorickshaw drivers. There is a need to meet a breakthrough.” Yogesh Babar, a commuter, said, “Authorities had provided e-bikes and e-cycles during the first phase of Metro’s launch. However, after that there has been no further improvement.”According to auto rickshaw drivers, the absence of proper stands has been a main constraint. Vikas Paigude, an autorickshaw driver, said the drivers often faced action if they stopped near any of the entry and exit gates at Metro stations. “How will we be able to offer services if dedicated spaces have not availed for us,” Paigude said.Furthermore, the regional transport office (RTO) is also planning to review the issue jointly with autorickshaw unions. Swapnil Bhosale, deputy regional transport officer, told TOI, “We have been working on improving the share-an-auto services at Metro stations. The survey was being undertaken for it. There was also a need to provide spaces for autos near stations.”
