Autorickshaw unions set 3-day deadline for govt to ban bike taxis; black flag stir from Thursday

BENGALURU: Members of 21 autorickshaw unions in the city have threatened to lay siege to the Chief Minister’s residence demanding a ban on bike taxis and have set a three-day deadline. If the government does not act by then, the autorickshaw unions have threatened to wave black flags, wear black arm bands and head to the CM’s residence on Monday (March 20).

Those taking autos to work, to hospitals or other places are likely to be affected as about 2.10 lakh autorickshaw drivers affiliated to 21 organisations are expected to lay siege to the CM’s residence on Monday. From Thursday, they will sport black flags and arm bands, but continue services. If they government does not heed their demand by Sunday midnight, they have threatened to intensify their protest.

Ola, Uber, and Rapido aggregators are fixing their own charges.

The autorickshaw unions are demanding a ban on bike taxi services like Rapido, Ola and Uber. They said that several representations made to the Transport Department commissioner has not borne fruit. This comes at a time when several other unions are on strike for fulfilment of their demands.

Transport strike on March 21

Meanwhile, with state transport corporation employees threatening protest from March 21, the managing directors of all the four transport utilities have lobbed the ball in the CM’s court and have refused to react on the issue of the employees’ demands.