Uber, Ola cabbies threaten to torch vehicles in Bengaluru
- More than 50,000 cabs in Bengaluru are on strike.
- The authorities and taxi aggregators, Ola and Uber, have not yet addressed the issues of the taxi drivers.
- The cabbies will continue their strike indefinitely.
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Bengalureans are facing a hard time as taxi aggregators Ola and Uber have not only called a strike but also forced passengers to get off mid ride. The Uber office in the city was also ransacked on Thursday, February 23.
Despite the , road blocks, inconvenience caused to commuters the authorities have not yet responded to the demands of the cab drivers. In view of this, the cabbies are threatening to employ desperate measure, such as torching the vehicles if authorities do not respond.
A leading national daily quoted the spokesmen of the drivers’ union stating that more than 50,000 taxi drivers participated in the and that the cabbies are getting desperate due to aggregators and government’s none responsive attitude. He further confirmed that they would continue their strike.
The Ola Taxiforsure Uber Drivers Association (OTUDA) threatened that they will further escalate the stir. The Times of India quoted OTUDA president, Tanveer Pash, as saying, “We will not ply for another day or two and if there is still no response from the people who matter, we will torch our cabs at busy intersections and in the middle of the road. Either way, banks are sure to seize our vehicles as most drivers who own the cabs have been unable to repay the loans over the last couple of months."
The cabbies are alleging that Uber and Ola's officials have not met them, though the transport commissioner asked Ola to resolve the issues amicably, after two Ola drivers on February 16 outside the office of Ola.
"We had asked the management to meet the drivers' union, sort out the issues and inform us. But they haven't come to meet me yet," TOI quoted transport commissioner M K Aiyappa.
Meanwhile, Ola through their app issued an apology to its users stating that it is working on resolving the problems and Uber has urged authorities to intervene for solving the matter.
