BENGALURU: The issue of Ola-Uber, Rapido, and other taxi services is in the limelight again. Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy has called a meeting with representatives of aggregators like Ola and Uber over allegations that they are running taxis without permission from the department.
Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy said, “There are so many complaints about taxi aggregators. We will discuss it during the meeting and take necessary actions. If taxi aggregators are running their vehicles even after their permits have lapsed, it is a mistake of the officers. In that case, we will take the necessary legal action.
Manjunath, president of Adarsh Auto Union, said, “We have submitted an appeal. We have brought many issues to the attention of the minister and he has called a meeting. If they do not come to a final decision, the union will hold a protest. Autorickshaw drivers are facing an economic crisis due to taxi aggregators. Auto drivers cannot afford school fees, house rent and loans due to the free bus services. They are already fed up with private taxi services. Hence, we are demanding the government give Rs 5,000 every month as compensation. The government has to help improve the lives of auto drivers”.
“If not, the government should give Rs 1 lakh in loans for autorickshaw drivers with a minimum rate of interest and Rs 2 lakh in loans for stabilising their lives through caste-based corporations. So far, taxi services were taking away our earning, and now, the free bus service is also spoiling the lives of autorickshaw drivers. We are also demanding that the government ban bike taxis. The form of protest will be decided after the meeting. More than 10 auto unions will take part in the protest”, Manjunath added.