Cab drivers’ unions welcome Bharat Taxi initiative

BENGALURU: Aggregate companies like Ola and Uber have time and again been accused of exploiting cab drivers. Now, with Bharat Taxi starting in November, it is expected to put a brake on fleecing private cab services.

The service is starting with the cooperation of the central government by the state’s driver associations. Bharat Taxi is hitting the roads next month to challenge private aggregator taxi companies.

For the first time, the ‘Bharat Taxi’ service will start in Delhi. The new taxi service has been developed under the guidance of the Union Ministry of Cooperation. The Centre has started a cooperative taxi service to avoid the inconvenience caused to passengers by private aggregator companies.

First, 650 vehicles will be launched on an experimental basis. The service will be expanded to major cities in December. It is said that a total of 5,000 drivers, including male and female drivers, will provide taxi services in Mumbai, Pune, Bhopal, and Lucknow in the coming days.

The Bharat Taxi service has been welcomed by various driver associations in the state. In particular, taxis are being used at airports, and the Union’s plan has been welcomed by the Bruhat Bengaluru Taxi Driver Union. It will be beneficial for many drivers and customers. The association said that it should be available to passengers at a low rate, implemented soon, and be successful.

The Adarsh Auto Association has also welcomed the Bharat Taxi service. It should be implemented soon in the state. It was a long-standing demand to provide taxi services from the government. This will be beneficial for drivers, he added.

Ramesh, president of the Bruhat Bengaluru Taxi Driver Union, said, “We believe that many cab drivers and passengers will benefit from this new taxi service. The private or aggregated companies’ taxis always keep changing their rates. Along with the positive side, there is concern about how long it will operate as a government programme. There is not much clear information about its maintenance and how it works. The association is very excited to welcome. Passengers can expect a lower charge for the service than private cabs.”