Traditional taxis are happy with the plan, for now
MUMBAI: Even though the reaction of passengers to the policy for app-based taxis proposed by the state government is yet to be known, it will certainly offer relief to the traditional blackand-yellow taxis and autorickshaw drivers in the city.
The regulatory policy, which will put restrictions on app-based taxis and control surge pricing, is likely to be cleared in the ongoing monsoon session. Maharashtra will be the second state after Karnataka to regulate app based taxis including air-conditioned cool cabs and radio cabs, are plying on city roads. If unions leaders are to be believed, taxi drivers’ daily earning has gone down by 30-40%, although the auto drivers haven’t felt the pinch.
“Our taxis do not get long-distance customers. Their business in the night, too, has been hampered,” said KK Tiwari, a taxi union leader.
“Earlier, taxi permits used to fetch Rs2 lakh to Rs2.5 lakh, but its value has dipped to Rs1.5 lakh,” an industry expert said, adding the drivers feel the government has put all restrictions on them, while leaving tourist cabs free of any regulation
their lower fares, the app-based taxis have hit the business of Cool cabs and Radio cabs.
A decade ago, the city had around 55 000 black and yellow cabs Their
Unhappy with the drop, taxi unions want restrictions on surge pricing by app-based taxis, along with restrictions on operation of tourist cabs. The city has witnessed several violent these demands.
To increase the pressure on the government, taxi unions have threatened yet another indefinite strike. A lesserknown union, Jai Bhagavan Taxi and Rickshaw Sanghatana, has threatened to go on strike, but one of the biggest taxi unions such as Mumbai Taximen’s Union have announced support for it.
In the wake of the strike call, transport minister Diwakar Raote has promised to bring in new rules and regulations for app-based taxis before the end of the monsoon session. The unions are now expected to plan further action once the regulatory policy