The Chandigarh Tricity Driver Union continued its protest on Monday, demanding fair rules, clear policies and protection from alleged exploitation by app-based cab companies. Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring also joined the drivers, who have been on strike for the past many days.
Warring raised concerns over how app-based cab services are operating and alleged that there is collusion between the companies and the authorities. He said he learned about the issues faced by drivers who ferry thousands of passengers every day and have now been on strike for 21 days. He said these drivers are linked to platforms such as Ola, Uber and Rapido and depend on them to earn a living.
Warring said a large nexus appears to be at work not just across the country but in Chandigarh as well. Referring to Ola, Uber, Rapido and another app called BlaBla, he questioned who runs the platform and how it is functioning. He claimed that despite reports of drivers being killed by people using the app, the administration says it has no information about it.
He said this raises serious questions about regulation, passenger safety and the way app-based transport services are being monitored.
Warring alleged that someone is running such businesses in collusion with the administration, leading to losses worth crores and depriving the government of revenue. He questioned how an app can continue to operate if the administration truly has no information about it, and suggested that the issue may be being ignored because some officials of the Chandigarh administration could be involved.
He further alleged that this would not be possible without the administration’s backing. He also questioned the hefty commissions charged by cab aggregators, saying that at one point some companies were taking as much as 50 per cent of a driver’s daily earnings.
"Without the involvement of the administration, this wouldn't be possible. The police are stationed everywhere, and traffic police are also present. The issue with other companies is the commission. Previously, they were taking a 50% commission. If a taxi driver earned 1,000 rupees a day, 500 rupees would go to these companies,” he said.
Criticising the commission model, Warring said the companies do not pay for the vehicle, fuel or the driver’s effort, yet take a large share of the income. He said many drivers bought cabs due to unemployment and now have to pay monthly EMIs of Rs 17,000 to Rs 20,000 even for small cars like a WagonR. He said the financial pressure on drivers is made worse by rising expenses and loan repayments.
Apart from EMIs, drivers also have to bear the cost of insurance, taxes for commercial yellow-number plates and charges for crossing state borders. Warring said these payments continue even when the car is not on the road.
He said that although an aggregator policy was framed in Chandigarh after a long struggle, it has still not been implemented. According to him, the drivers are now protesting to demand that the policy be put into effect. He claimed that under the proposed system, companies are seeking a 20 per cent commission and in some cases even deducting the amount in advance, leaving drivers with little or nothing from a trip.
Warring also said "The administration and companies are working together on this. If a driver takes a ride for 200 rupees, 20 rupees should be deducted. Even 20 rupees is high because your involvement is just providing an app service. Why not fix it at 5 rupees? The government and transport ministry should decide on a flat rate like 5 rupees so it's not a burden on the passenger."
He said the companies have no offices, provide no medical support or insurance to drivers, and take no responsibility if a driver dies. According to him, drivers alone have to bear the burden of fines, accidents and vehicle damage. Warring claimed that around 35,000 taxi drivers across the Tricity are affected and urged the government to step in.
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