The Thane transport department has launched a prepaid auto facility at Thane railway station, giving commuters confirmed rides, fixed fares and a formal booking process intended to reduce refusals and overcharging.
The facility is operating from a dedicated office under the station’s Satis area. Passengers must provide their destination and make the required payment at the office. A message is then sent to a registered auto-rickshaw driver waiting in the queue, who picks up the passenger without separately negotiating the destination or fare.
The arrangement is designed to remove two common points of conflict between passengers and auto drivers: whether a driver will accept a particular trip and how much the journey will cost. Commuters are informed of the fixed fare before starting their ride, while the booking process provides a confirmed vehicle at the station.
Deputy Regional Transport Office official Rohit Katkar said the proposal had been under consideration for two years and received approval after administrative and technical challenges were addressed. He said changes were made after seeking approval from the transport authority because auto drivers depend on their daily income.
Passengers will pay a premium of approximately 20 per cent over the regular fare. According to the transport department, this additional amount will be transferred to the driver as an incentive, with the payment expected to reach the driver’s account before the end of the day. The department said the arrangement is intended to encourage more drivers to participate while maintaining a predictable service for passengers.
Around 100 drivers have already subscribed to the facility. The administration expects participation to increase if the service gains acceptance, potentially expanding the number of available rides from the station. The entire service will be planned and managed through Cityflo, according to BJP MLC Niranjan Davkhare.
The launch follows longstanding passenger complaints about auto-rickshaw refusals, particularly for short-distance trips. The prepaid model shifts the interaction from an on-the-spot negotiation outside the station to a managed booking counter, where the destination, payment and driver assignment are recorded through the facility.
The transport department and local representatives described the service as a safer, more orderly and transparent option for passengers leaving Thane railway station. A similar prepaid arrangement was previously implemented at Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, but was later discontinued. The new Thane facility will now be assessed through its driver participation and commuter use as the administration considers widening its reach.
