Bengaluru: With transport sector employees set to go on a strike on Tuesday, Namma Bengaluru commuters will be severely hit as they will find it difficult to hire a cab to reach their destination.The drivers of two popular apps, Ola and Uber are offering their support for the strike called by the transport association pan India.
The strike is intended to oppose the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill 2017, which has to be passed by the Rajya Sabha and is being opposed by various opposition parties as it curtails the powers of state governments and favours the corporate sector though it reportedly contains provisions that will make Indian roads safer. The bill has already been passed in the Lok Sabha.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Tanveer Pasha, President of Ola, Taxiforsure and Uber drivers and Owners Association said "All our drivers numbering around 40,000 are offering support for this strike against the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill 2017.
This bill will definitely affect the driver's life, So it should be withdrawn and the government should find some other alternative.”According to a source, some of the maxi cab associations are not offering support for the strike nor will there be any effect on BMTC and KSRTC services.
“All these drivers are controlled by their associations. Since these taxi aggregators entered the transport market, they have brought a drastic change in the commuting pattern of city transport. If Ola and Uber, the leading taxi service providers in the city, support the strike, we have no other option than use our own vehicles. This will really lead to a huge traffic jam." says
Arpitha P, a software employee. D. Shashikumar, General secretary, KAMS said " We have advised parents to pick up and drop students at schools tomorrow for those who depend on public transport. However, school buses will ply on all routes regularly."
