Case Study of Autorickshaw Industry in Mumbai, India

Abstract

With a growing population of more than 12 million in Mumbai, India, intense stress is placed on the transport system. It is crucial that the many moving parts can function together efficiently. The nearly 110,000 auto-rickshaws of Mumbai are a ubiquitous part of this system and cater to the daily commute needs of a large section of the population. The objective of this paper is to conduct an in-depth assessment of Mumbai's autorickshaw sector to gain insights into its role in the city's transport system and the challenges that the sector faces and to present recommendations for reforms that would benefit autorickshaw drivers and users. It is envisioned that the implementation of these reforms would promote autorickshaws as part of a sustainable urban transport system for the city. The various aspects considered in the research of Mumbai's autorickshaw sector include market characteristics, regulations, operational characteristics, profile of drivers and users, financial aspects, and infrastructure. Quantitative and qualitative research methods employed over a 2-month period reveal myriad challenges within the industry, including the illegal sale of permits for more than 600 times the legal price, a loss of 95% of autorickshaw stands, tension between drivers and police, refusals of service, and an urgent need to regulate space. Autorickshaw passengers also cite advantages, such as speed of service, but autorickshaws compete directly with Mumbai's bus system. Solutions are proposed in the following focal areas: training, infrastructure, enforcement, supply and demand, fares, fleet services, and drivers.

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“…Auto rickshaws serve as a substitute for taxis or public transport, and the same vehicle is in operation for several hours per day. The average daily operation time of auto rickshaws is ten hours (Shlaes & Mani, 2013). The number of auto-rickshaws for the base year is issued from municipal vehicle registration data and adjusted to the projected travel demand for the BAU and LCMP scenarios.…”