Pune: Police recall autorickshaw passes, commuters in a fix

PUNE: The traffic police have directed all autorickshaw drivers to return by Tuesday the passes issued to them through their unions to transport passengers, much to the concerns of people depending on the three-wheelers for their essential travel during the lockdown period.
Assistant commissioner of police (traffic) Surendra Deshmukh said as many as 640 passes had been issued to CityGlide and the city-based company gave 150 passes to the Rickshaw Panchayat union for distribution.

“Some autorickshaw drivers alleged that the company had taken Rs400 from each of them towards ‘service charge’. All the passes issued to the autorickhaw drivers have been recalled, as the company has decided to not run the service any more,” he said.
“No autorickshaw will ply for now. Once the passes are with us, the issue will be taken up with the higher authorities and the next decision on autorickshaws will be taken,” Deshmukh said, CityGlide CEO Rahul Shitole said, “We had taken the money with prior permission from the traffic police. We have been operating in the city ever since the lockdown was first announced in March. The recent lockdown (from July 14) was suddenly announced and we had to meet the company’s expenses towards internet, salaries and infrastructure.”
He added, “We ensured ample trips for the autorickshaw drivers with the passes, and most of them did not have a problem paying the amount. We charged them Rs20 per day for 20 days, as the passes were valid till July 31.”
The sudden decision to recall the autorickshaw passes has left many — both commuters and drivers — flummoxed. An officer with a state-owned bank said, “How can such a decision be taken without ensuring any alternative for the commuters? It is mandatory for me to travel to my branch tomorrow, as I have the cash keys. Each day I take an autorickshaw from Pimple Gurav to Fatimanagar. We are just fed up of these lockdowns and such hasty decisions.”
A Kondhwa resident said, “How are we supposed to travel for essential needs? Cabs are not an option for people belongng to the middle or low income groups.”
Autorickshaw driver Shailesh Gade, who was operating with a pass said, “I transport a caregiver from Talewadi to an elderly couple’s home in Model Colony every morning and drop her back in the evening. The coupe’s son is in the US. They are shocked to know that I will not be able to bring the caregiver from Talewadi from Tuesday, till further notice, in the absence of a pass.”