Online taxi-booking services of Ola, Uber and Rapido, will be discontinued in Guwahati, Assam from February 1. The decision of closing the cab and bike services was made by All Assam Cab Mazdoor Sangha and All Guwahati Bike and taxi Union. The two associations took the decision to discontinue the services amid the continuous harassment of cab drivers by cab aggregators.
In a press conference, the associations imposed that these companies providing cab services have been misleading and exploiting the drivers for a long time.
"They are also taking the dynamic price from us. If we pay such a commission, nothing is left for us. We work for 18-20 hours. We have to pay instalments in the banks and finance companies for loans against vehicles and maintain our family also," Deka further added.
According to a report by Assam Tribune, around 18,000 cabs are currently operating on the roads as part of Uber and Ola cab services. Additionally, the bike taxi operator union is also shutting down the bike taxi aggregator service by Rapido from February 1. More than 16,000 Rapido bike services will be closed following the call for discontinuation.
However, amid all the protests, cab and bike drivers have urged the government to introduce a new app so that they can continue their services. Also, in the meantime, the two local cab operators-- Pei India and AM2 will continue to offer ride-hailing services.
Source: India Today
