Autorickshaw union mulls over tech solution to fight fare war

Private cab operators have slashed prices in last month

November 22, 2014 01:04 am | Updated 01:30 am IST - Bengaluru

BENGALURU, KARNATAKA, 09/11/2014: Autos decorated with flags and flowers, as autorickshaw drivers celebrate late actor Shankar Nag's birth anniversary as 'Autorickshaw Day' at Ideal Home Society circle, in Bengaluru on November 09, 2014.     
Photo: K. Murali Kumar

BENGALURU, KARNATAKA, 09/11/2014: Autos decorated with flags and flowers, as autorickshaw drivers celebrate late actor Shankar Nag's birth anniversary as 'Autorickshaw Day' at Ideal Home Society circle, in Bengaluru on November 09, 2014. Photo: K. Murali Kumar

Under the onslaught of the fare war unleashed in the past month by four private cab aggregators, 25,000 autorickshaw drivers represented by the Auto Rickshaw Drivers’ Union (ARDU) has decided to seek a technological solution through which customers can call their vehicles for hire. The modalities are yet to be worked out.

The union arrived at the decision on Friday evening, recognising the “serious” threat that four private companies have posed to autorickshaws by slashing hire rates in the past few weeks.

M.S. Meenakshisundaram, president, ARDU, said the solution would be “totally service-motivated” and the union was looking for persons who could help the union with a solution allowing customers to book autos using a mobile phone and the Internet.

He said, “We can’t reveal much now. We don’t know about the investment and technology that will be required for our solution.”

The ARDU is one of six unions of autorickshaw drivers in the city and represents 25,000 drivers, one-fourth the total number in the city.

He said, “My worry is corporates will eliminate autorickshaws from the city.”

Ola Cabs has launched a pilot project where passengers can book autorickshaws using the company’s mobile app and the autorickshaw driver was paid Rs. 30 per trip by the company as incentive. One more aggregator is awaiting department’s clearance. The city has 30,000 cab drivers of whom 2,000 drivers work for four cab companies.

K.G. Ravindra, chairman, All-India Tourist Taxi and Maxi Cab Owners Association, said, “Our concern is why tourist taxi permits are being misused as city taxi permits?” He added, “How long will the companies pay the drivers?”

Anand Subramanian, director, Marketing Communication, Ola Cabs, sought to allay fears, saying there was no problem with paying “goal-driven” incentives to drivers.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Transport Commissioner Rame Gowda said drivers who have State permits can drive within the city and that the issue of booking fee charged by companies could be addressed only when those affected raise the matter.

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