The Regional Transport Authority’s move of mandating smart card driving licences has not gone down well with the transport unions. Transport unions in Thane region, including the Auto Rickshaw Union Federation, have objected to the fees being charged for issuing smart card driving licences.

The state transport department has appointed Unitech Telecom for issuing microchip-based driving licences. The cost of a smart card driving licence is Rs 200 whereas the older driving licence in the form of a booklet was for Rs 50.

Transport Commissioner Deepak Kapoor said that his office had indeed received feedback from the unions on the ‘steep’ fees charged for the smart card licences. “The one-time fee is charged for the card which is valid for 5 years up to 20 years. Anytime during this period if the licence get damaged, it will be replaced free of cost,” said Kapoor. He added that as of now no immediate relief could be provided in terms of reduction in the fees for smart cards as price charged by the Unitech Telecom was governed by the tender agreement made with the firm and the transport department.

Even the goods transport unions have lodged their protest with the Regional Trasnport Officer against making the issue of smart card licence mandatory. The unions have contended that the RTA should give the option to choose between smart card licences and the ordinary licence book. “The transport department should not make the smart card licences mandatory,” said the federation of auto rickshaw unions in a memorandum to the transport commissioner.

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