Getting a raw deal from cab aggregators, complain drivers

Around 500 of them, who staged a demonstration at Chepauk near Ezhilagam, alleged that the cab companies were not giving them enough incentives and salary for a sustainable livelihood. Moreover, the targets being given by the cab aggregators were difficult to achieve.

They also claimed that the extra fare collected from the passengers during peak hours were not being given to them. As a result, both drivers and passengers were being cheated.

Hari Krishnan, president of Tamil Nadu Call Taxi Owners and Drivers Association, said, “When cab services like Uber, OLA, NTL and other taxies have entered the market in the city, there is no coordination between the drivers. However, things have changed now as drivers from all cab services have come together as a union to fight for their rights.” He also demanded the government to streamline the fare of these cab companies.

“While private cab operators, not attached to any company, have a ‘fixed’ price, charges of private cab companies vary from company to company,” Kirishnan said, adding that they were being threatened by the managements if they raise the issue with them.

“These cab and taxi companies lure the drivers with benefits like good incentives and salary initially. However, they fail to keep up their promise. Still worse, the incentives that were provided for four to six rides previously, are now only given for 20 rides,” another cab driver said. 

Meanwhile, many commuters, who were not aware of the strike, were left in the lurch. “I was not aware of the strike. When I booked a cab to Anna Salai from Anna Nagar, the Uber App showed an exorbitant fare. When I contacted the driver, he was reluctant to come and informed me about the strike,” said K Manikandan, a private firm employee.

When contacted, the OLA company management said that cab availability was limited on Wednesday. “We are making efforts to restore the services,” the employee said. When asked about drivers’ grievances, the management said that they were providing the benefits which were promised by the company.