Autorickshaw and cab associations in Pune have taken a stand against ride-hailing giants Ola and Uber, lodging multiple complaints and calling for corresponding actions. In response, the Regional Transport Office (RTO) is set to hold a crucial meeting involving representatives from both Ola and Uber. The outcome of this meeting will play a pivotal role in determining the companies’ course of action, according to In-charge Regional Transport Officer Sanjeev Bhor.
On Wednesday, rickshaw and cab driver-owners staged a demonstration outside the Regional Transport Office, with a specific focus on Ola and Uber.
The protest, spearheaded by Baba Kamble, was a collaborative effort by multiple associations, including the Maharashtra Rickshaw Panchayat, Auto Taxi Bus Transport Federation, Auto Rickshaw Drivers-Owners Union Joint Action Committee Maharashtra State, Pune Rickshaw Federation, and Auto Janata Garage Forum. During the protest, they presented a set of demands to regional transport authorities, which led to the decision to convene a meeting involving Ola, Uber, and the rickshaw and cab associations.
Among their collective demands, Kamble emphasized the need for a welfare corporation for rickshaw driver-owners, the cessation of free rickshaw licensing, and the mandatory requirement of permits for electric rickshaws. They shed light on the financial challenges faced by taxi and rickshaw driver-owners, advocating for decisive actions against companies like Ola and Uber. Additionally, they called for a reevaluation of four-wheeler fares set by these companies.
