Pune Metro Stations Set to Relaunch Share-an-Auto Services for Last-Mile Connectivity
Pune, 16th March 2024: Efforts are underway to restart the share-an-auto plan at several Metro stations in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad, aiming to enhance last-mile connectivity for commuters.
A discussion addressing the challenges surrounding autorickshaw services at Metro stations was organized by the Wake Up Punekar forum on Friday. Mohan Joshi, the group’s leader, revealed that representatives from autorickshaw unions and the Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha Metro) attended the meeting and expressed their willingness to revive these services, along with providing necessary support to ensure their smooth operation.
Joshi stated, “A decision has been made to relaunch the share-an-auto initiative at selected Metro stations in the initial phase. To facilitate this, a survey will commence next week to identify priority stations.”
The share-an-auto service was approved by the Regional Transport Office (RTO) in August 2023, following the expansion of the Metro to over 20 stations. However, auto drivers’ response to the initiative has been lackluster, with their services scarcely visible at Metro stations.
“We aim to restart the initiative to alleviate commuters’ difficulties,” Joshi affirmed. “Auto union representatives highlighted the lack of space at Metro stations for rickshaws to stop. The forum will address this issue, and further meetings will be convened to evaluate the authorities’ progress.”
Auto union representatives expressed readiness to engage in discussions with the RTO and traffic department regarding share-an-auto services. Maha Metro officials assured their support, with one official stating, “Efforts are already underway to enhance last-mile connectivity. Shuttle buses have commenced from Ramwadi Metro station to the airport.”
Regular commuters emphasized that share-an-auto services are operational in other cities like Mumbai and urged authorities to facilitate their implementation in Pune as well.
