In the afternoons, many drivers prefer not to take out their vehicles and this has reduced the population of auto-taxi to close to 50%, according to union members.
This has inconvenienced several commuters who are finding it difficult to get autos and taxis for quick mobility on roads across the city. This includes areas such as Khar, Bandra, Kurla, Chembur among other places in suburbs where commuters are finding it difficult to get autos and there are long queues during peak hours. Similarly, there is a 20% decline in taxis in the island city.
"It is difficult to get autorickshaws in Chembur as I have been witnessing a decline in the population the past few days. There are few autos on roads and there is always an issue of drivers refusing to ply, which is frustrating," said a resident, adding that autos ensured quick mobility on feeder routes.
"I am waiting for over 15 minutes in a long queue outside Khar railway station in the evening and there are just 2 autos which have arrived to pick up passengers," said an office goer.
Said M K Mishra, a cabbie outside CSMT : "Most of my friends, who ply taxis in island city, have gone back to villages to cast their votes as the voting day falls this month. Some of them have gone to attend marriages of relatives or close family members."
An auto driver in Kurla said that he worked throughout the year, even on Sundays, and during summer, when his children had school holidays, it was the best time to visit the native town. A section of drivers have gone to Konkan while others have boarded special trains to Uttar Pradesh, an union leader said.
Thampy Kurien from Mumbai Rickshawmen's Union said there will be some autos and taxis whose drivers would prefer more rides in the morning and evening hours, trying to avoid hot summer afternoons -- especially with the recent heat waves. "But the majority of those absent on the road are those who have gone to their native villages," he added.
Transporters also said on Thursday that they were witnessing a shortage of trucks across categories. All India Transporters Welfare Association general secretary Abhishek Gupta said that most of the regions have reported that drivers are either going to their villages for weddings or voting due to which a larger number of vehicles are standing idle. "Driver shortage has been a concern which is not being fully addressed. On one hand we are saying there is an increase in unemployment but when it comes to truck drivers the shortage continues," he added.
Disclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.
