Hyderabad: Auto-rickshaw drivers have started parking themselves close to Metro stations and are willing to ferry passengers to areas close by, which they previously refused to do.
Driver K. Ramesh says that with large crowds arriving at the Metro stations, there is more money to be made out of short trips.
On Wednesday, a few senior citizens from the colony behind White House asked Ramesh to take them to the Metro station. Since then, he has continuously had passengers.
“After that, many other residents began asking me to take them. I don’t have to travel empty within colonies, as I previously had to, because everyone wants a ride to the metro station,” he said.
Abdul Sheikh, who ferries school children in the mornings, is usually free in the evenings.
Now, residents of Habsiguda are asking to be taken to the station. Abdul has found a new set of clients, including college students and employees, in evenings.
With the launch of the Metro rail, there has been a sudden increase in the demand for auto-rickshaws to travel short distances.
While the government is yet to make arrangements for feeder services, auto-rickshaw drivers are organising themselves outside metro stations.
The drivers are also offering shared rides so that passengers can save money and they can save time.
