SURAT: Auto-rickshaws plying on the Udhna-Sachin route have started posing a serious challenge to Surat Municipal Corporation 's (SMC) BRTS project.

As the month-long free ride offered by the civic body in the BRTS buses has ended, the auto drivers have unanimously decide to reduce the travel fare by almost 25 per cent on the routes along the corridor.

More than 14,000 passengers used to travel on daily basis to and fro from Udhna to Sachin. Around nine buses have been pressed into service on the 11 km long route, making more than 70 trips from morning to evening.

"From more than 14,000 passengers taking free rides every day, the number of passengers travelling in BRT buses have come down to 4,000. The reduction in auto fare between Udhna and Sachin has affected the service," said BS Shah, additional city engineer (BRTS cell).

The reduction in CNG prices also helped auto drivers reduce their rates. While auto drivers charge Rs 15 per passenger, the ticket rate on this route is Rs 17 per passenger.

Ramnaresh Yadav, leader of the auto union on Sachin-Udhna route said, "Earlier, we were charging Rs 20 per passenger from Udhna to Sachin. Now, we take Rs 15. For the destinations like Unn and Bhestan, we still charge only Rs 11 per passenger."

Shailesh Jadav , a clerk working with a dyeing mill in Sachin said, "Autos are readily available, while we have to wait for the BRTS buses. The travel fare charged by autowalas is quite economical now."

While the city has a total of 90,000 autos, around 5,000 ply between Udhna and Sachin.

