The cab drivers in the city called for a strike from December 31st, 2016. The strike has been intensified as Ola, Uber, and private cabs owners joined in, on Tuesday. It has hit the daily commuters and the Techies in the city the worst. After the launch of taxis in the city in 2014, most of the people started preferring taxis over another form of commuting. This business has bloomed over the last two years in the twin cities.
Based on an official record there are more than 35,000 private cabs in the city that cater to 1,200 IT companies in the IT corridor of the city. Almost 3.5 lakh employees opt for cabs for commuting to work every day. After the cab strike started people have opted for auto rickshaws. The twin cities have over one lakh autos, but these are not enough to fill the gap. Out of the one lakh autos, almost 50% are used for ferrying school children, twice a day and the rest are plied near railway and bus stations.
The cab drivers decided to strike alleging that the private cab operators have gone back on the promises made to the drivers at the time of hiring. The Telangana Cabs Drivers and Owners Association plans to go on an indefinite hunger strike as a result of this from Thursday. Cab owners have aggrieved that to become a part of the Ola and Uber fleet, most have mortgaged lands, house, and jewelry to purchase new cars. The companies have drastically reduced benefits that are provided to the drivers and hence have to listen to their woes now. This strike started after one of the drivers was attacked in the company office, with the support of the Police and are also allegedly manipulating the income earned.
They demand the removal of star rating system and also the three trip rule during surge hours that has drastically cut down their income. The president of TCDOA said that “We want the government to take the initiative. Our demands are genuine. We are planning to launch an indefinite hunger strike after January 5.”
The cab service provider, Uber, condemned the forceful disruption of services in Hyderabad by the drivers and owners. The statement by Uber read, “A small group of people has threatened drivers and damaged vehicles, inconveniencing riders and preventing people from earning a livelihood. We remain committed to serving the city, and call upon authorities to ensure safety and continued operation of our services so that we can keep Hyderabad moving.”
