Action To Be Taken Against Auto & Taxi Drivers Who Reject Customers Baselessly

Mumbai: According to a Mumbai Traffic Police (MTP) statement issued on Monday, strict action will be taken against the auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers who refuse to accept customers based on fare and distance.

MTP received numerous complaints from the citizens regarding the said issue with auto and taxi drivers. The customers supposedly get rejected by drivers on the grounds that their destination is not far enough, or the fare is too small. This has been the case for a long time in the city.

In order to tackle this situation, MTP issued the said notification through their official Twitter handle. The post said, “Action will be taken against auto and taxi drivers who refuse fares, under MVA section 178 (3), 1998.

Action will be taken against auto and taxi drivers who refuse fares, under MVA section 178 (3),1988.
Furthermore, a meeting will be organised to sensitise the drivers to behave better with citizens & aid in a hassle free commute. The police officials will be sensitised as well. pic.twitter.com/P4yQ9I03eu

— Mumbai Traffic Police (@MTPHereToHelp) October 17, 2022

As per section 178 (3) in the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, if the holder of a permit or the driver of a contract carriage refuses, in contravention of the provision of this Act or rule made thereunder, to ply the contract carriage or to carry the passengers, they shall be (a) be punishable with fine which may extend to Rs. 50 (in the case of 2-wheeler or 3-wheeler motor vehicles. (b) in any other case, be punishable with a fine which may extend to Rs. 200.

Meanwhile, the statement also says that all the traffic divisions and its authorities are to ‘sensitize’ the drivers within their jurisdiction to behave better with the citizens and aid in a hassle-free commute. “The traffic division in charge is told to meet the taxi and auto drivers’ association or group in order to sensitize them so they don’t make any mistakes. This way, there is no trouble for the commuters,” said an official.