25 August,2016 06:33 PM IST | | Shashank Rao
Upset that the government has still not met their demands to control app-based cab aggregators Uber and Ola, three major auto-taxi unions have announced they will not ply in the city from August 29 to 31
Come Monday, and the city will once again feel the wrath of auto and taxi unions. Three different unions, in a show of strength, announced yesterday that they would be taking their vehicles off the road between August 29 and 31 - a decision that is set to cause a lot of inconvenience to the commuters.
In June, taxi and auto drivers had held a protest at Azad Maidan against app-based cab providers. File pics
Once again, their grudge is against app-based cab services like Uber and Ola. The unions demand that the state government get them in line by introducing the City Taxi Scheme. Out of the total number of autos in the city, around 65,000 ply in the western suburbs, while the rest run on the eastern side. If the strike happens, the city will literally be taken to ransom.
Disappointed drivers
Apart from the app-based cab services, past decisions by the government have also disappointed these organisations. "Replacing petrol with CNG vehicles, mechanical meters with electronic ones and introducing newer, costlier vehicles as taxis have proved to be costly for the drivers and owners," said Balasaheb Sanap, union leader of Jai Bhagwan Taxi Rickshaw Sangathana (JBTRS), which mainly controls the auto rickshaws in Navi Mumbai and further out of Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Its earlier strike in April-May had thrown the city off gear, far beyond the anticipation of the state transport department and RTOs.
Sanap further claimed that in an earlier meeting, the chief minister had promised to implement the City Taxi Scheme in August and so they had delayed the strike. But with the promise yet to be fulfilled, the union now sounds serious about the strike.
Joining them in the march is Swabhimaan Sanghatana, backed by Congress MLA Nitesh Rane, which has already declared an indefinite strike starting from August 29.
"As the state government has failed to implement the scheme as per our demand, we are going on an indefinite strike," said KK Tiwari, leader of the Swabhimaan union. Meanwhile, Shashank Rao, the leader of Mumbai Autorickshaw and Taximen's Union informed that with a total strength of 83,541 auto rickshaw drivers, they would go on a daylong strike on August 31.
"Our demands include regulation of app-based aggregators and also to provide more amenities to auto drivers, such as heath or life insurance, and relaxing certain rules," said Rao.
The union bodies claimed that although the app-based aggregators seemed to have put an end to surge pricing during times of peak demand, the practice was still carried on, albeit in a hidden manner. To attract commuters, the companies keep certain costs concealed and in the end, the passenger ends up paying more without realising it. In June, they had also held a protest at Azad Maidan seeking an inquiry into this practice.
The other side
The Transport Commissioner said to mid-day that they will hold a meeting with the taxi and auto unions. "We will discussion this matter with the unions," said P Gedam, Transport Commissioner.
90
Percentage of auto rickshaws that might join the strike
60
Percentage of taxis that might join the strike
Three key demands
>> Put the operations of app-based cab aggregators on hold till government forms rules
>> If allowed, the cabs should be asked to ply outside the Mumbai Metropolitan Region
>> They should be under the ambit of RTO rules and regulations
Voices
Neha Khatdare, Resident of Vile Parle
These auto and taxi drivers should first stop refusing us and provide better services.
