Auto and taxi driver opt for short distances, commuters share rides in Mumbai

Share autorickshaws line at Ville Parle (West) today. Pic/ Nimesh Dave

Jay Shah was in no mood to give away one of his most prized possessions - a R100-note -to anyone, not even spend it on commute. He decided to take a share autorickshaw this morning, instead of hailing a ride all for himself. It wasn't his carbon footprint he was concerned about; it was to avoid any chance of spending notes of Rs 100 denominations.

Shah wasn't the only prudent commuter out there. Scores of citizens made a mad scramble for share autorickshaws/taxi stands to avoid giving away their last Rs 100-notes.

As if on cue, auto/taxi drivers -- notorious for refusing short distance fares -- changed tack and began refusing ‘lamba bhaada'.

Several drivers couldn't take fares at all since they had run out of fuel, and had no currency notes of smaller denominations left to refuel. A large number of them even took the day off to queue up outside banks to exchange their Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes.

According to AL Quadros, president of Mumbai Taximen's Union, at least 50 per cent of black-and-yellow taxi drivers stayed off the roads after their vehicles ran out of fuel. "Moreover, the formalities of renewing insurance for vehicles at RTOs, too, have been delayed, which has resulted in fewer vehicles on the roads."

Auto and taxi unions said CNG supplies began to run low yesterday. This, coupled with urgency in get­ting ride of Rs 500 an Rs 1,000 notes, forced drivers to choose fares for shorter distances as well as share rides.