Amid the ongoing tussle between the Transport Department and app-based transport aggregator companies, auto drivers on Tuesday expressed a united stand against app-based auto aggregators for allegedly exploiting customers as well as drivers.
Under the umbrella organization of Federation of Bengaluru Auto Drivers’ Unions and Welfare Associations, they demanded that the transport department should blacklist illegal apps and white-board bike taxi services and set up its own to provide citizen-friendly services under the government’s guidelines. Transport app should be made. ,
The federation has also blamed aggregator companies for “disrupting transportation services” during their early days in the city to lure drivers and drivers with special rides and incentives. He has accused the companies of ‘robbing’ the auto drivers by taking advantage of the need and time of the customers with exorbitant fares.
They have claimed that they have not got any benefit from such practices and they only get pre-determined amount in their accounts. He also said that white-board bike taxis plying “unauthorized” in the city have affected the earnings of auto drivers.
“In the last seven to eight years, these app-based companies have charged more than the rate prescribed by the transport department. They have also used auto services in unauthorized manner and instead of charging ₹15 per kilometer and minimum ₹30 for the first 2 kms, they have misused the availability of customers to charge a minimum of ₹50 to a maximum of ₹100. and looted crores of rupees,” said his press release.
“Before these companies entered the market, there was a friendly bond between the customers and the drivers. With them starting to charge exorbitant prices in our name, this bond has been broken and the way customers look at auto drivers has changed,” argued M Manjunath, president, Adarsh Auto and Taxi Drivers Union.
“They charge ₹105 per 2 kms and ₹30 to drivers. We are against these practices as both the customers and the drivers should not be burdened and robbed,” he said.
The drivers who plan to launch their ‘Namma Yatri’ app said that the app should only be a bridge between customers and drivers and not a way to earn money.
“On our app, we will charge ₹10 as service fee for customers to pick them up at their doorstep. The government also offers a similar app with specified rates. Why should we let a third party rob all of us and put money in their pockets?” Brihat Bengaluru Auto and Taxi Drivers Union President Jaware Gowda was questioned.
Auto drivers have said that despite several complaints against unfair treatment by various associations, the department did not pay any heed to it till recently.
Instead of stopping the operation of the app, the department will now take action against autorickshaws and drivers riding under the app, he added.