Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Sep 14: The auto rickshaw drivers, who have always been known to be resisting efforts to begin app-based taxi services, have now expressed their ire against an app-based taxi service company openly by holding protest at the central railway station here on Tuesday September 12.

Taxi operators have been complaining since long that auto rickshaw drivers have not been allowing taxis to enter the railway station. After Uber launched its taxi service at the central station here on September 2, auto rickshaw drivers got angry. When a passenger had come to the station in Uber taxi, the auto drivers had opposed it. On September 12 evening, the auto drivers stopped Uber taxis and sent them back and demanded for the closure of the Uber counter in the railway station. Pandeshwar police station inspector, K U Belliappa, intervened in the matter and eased the situation.

Many taxi drivers had evinced interest when app-based taxi services were introduced in the city but thereafter the drivers had held protest against both Ola and Uber, which operate these services. However, passengers have been appreciative of these services as auto drivers many a time are known to demand exorbitant fare particularly to railway stations and some other destinations. The users are aware that in case of app-based taxis, the drivers cannot collect fare in excess of determined rates. Therefore, the auto drives are up in arms against these services.

The people who have to frequently travel to railway stations and airports say that Uber is an authorized mode of transport and therefore deserve to be offered protection by the police. They also point out that at night auto rickshaws demand fare of Rs 300 from Hampankatta to Kankanady railway station whereas one can travel by Uber taxi by paying just Rs 100 and comfortable take with them large baggage. They feel that frustrated at the competitive rates at which these taxi services have been operating, auto drivers have been resisting such services.