Kochi: At a time when online taxis are increasingly eating into potential revenue share, traditional autorickshaw drivers are gearing up to launch an app-based service in a bid to cope with the changing trend. The Vytilla Taxi Drivers Welfare Society, which operates the CPM-backed ‘Kerala Taxi’ (online app-based taxi hiring service), has taken the lead to help traditional autorickshaw drivers take advantage of technology. “We are creating an online app to hire autorickshaws. Only traditional auto drivers will be included in the group which will also have the backing of the CPM. We aim to launch app-based auto services by mid-January and it will be operated as a separate entity like ‘Kerala Taxi’. Unlike our earlier initiative, the new venture will be restricted to Kochi city,” said D Manikuttan, Secretary, Vytilla Car Drivers Welfare Society.
Manikuttan pointed out that the online taxi service started by them was a success despite the fact that the charges were higher than Uber or Ola. “We are charging Rs 10 from the start. Technology-based services are much more in demand now,” he said. However, experts called for the intervention of the state government on the issue. “It’s a question of livelihood for hundreds of autorickshaw drivers post the entry of MNCs with online taxi services. It’s high time the state government intervened by coming out with a policy on matters like restricting free rides or offering prices far less than the standard hiring charge,” Dijo Kappan, Managing Trustee, Centre for Consumer Education, said.
The trade unions, though, said the immediate solution was a mutual understanding between the traditional auto-taxi drivers and online cabs. “We’re not opposed to Uber or Ola. What we want is that they should not pick up commuters from prepaid auto-taxi stands operated by the police like the one in North railway station,” said Sojan Antony, vice-president of the Ernakulam District Autorickshaw Drivers Association, affiliated to the CITU. He pointed out that there were nearly 10,000 auto drivers in Kochi city alone and each one would need to make around Rs 600 to cover daily expenses.
Autos go on flash strike against cop action
The ongoing tiff between autorickshaws and online taxi operators intensified on Monday when the former went on a flashstrike after being booked by the police for intercepting online cabs at Ernakulam South and Town railway stations. The autorickshaw drivers opposed online taxis taking commuters from stations and intercepted at least three Uber taxi cabs before threatening and abusing the drivers. The cops acted swiftly and nabbed 31 autorickshaw drivers.
“While 30 were held from South station, one was taken into custody from North. They were charged under sections 143 (unlawful assembly), 147 (rioting), 149 (unlawful assembly in prosecution of common object), 341 (wrongful restraint), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 294 (b) (use of obscene words) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC,” police said. Autorickshaw drivers at both stations went on a flash strike inconveniencing commuters. They also took out a protest march and stopped other autorickshaws from plying. Later representatives of various autorickshaw drivers unions held talks with senior police officials following which the arrested drivers were released on bail. The autorickshaw strike too was called off around noon.
Meanwhile, online cab operator Uber claimed that it was holding talks with railway authorities to have a specific pickup space within the station premises. “Top railway officials were very supportive and stressed the need to ensure passengers’ right to choose their transportation mode,” a senior company official said. However, autorickshaw drivers’ unions opposed it. “We’re trying to meet the district collector shortly to resolve the problem. The Kanayanoor Tahisildar will also meet soon with concerned parties,” said V.V. Praveen, State committee member of CITU-affiliated Auto Taxi Federation.
Corporation fails to streamline autos
The City Corporation which attempted to streamline the autorickshaw service and stands in the city has failed to implement the proposals. Though several suggestions like limiting the number of city permits/ auto stands were discussed with the RTO authorities, nothing materialised. “In Kochi, auto city permits have not been renewed in the last 21 years. But the number of autos illegally operating in the city has been increasing. There are widespread complaints on these illegal vehicle drivers causing difficulties to commuters and even creating law and order problems,” said an official with the Regional Transport Office.
Even the police admit that some of the drivers of unauthorised autos are members of criminal quotation gangs or are even drug peddlers. Transport authorities had issued only 4,000 city permits till 2004 in the city. But the number of vehicles currently operating within the city limits are nearly 15,000. The lawlessness of auto drivers and parking of vehicles in unauthorised stands along narrow roads are major problems faced by city residents. “Though it is the civic body which permits auto stands within the city, it is a fact that there are several illegal stands in many parts. We usually check only when a complaint is received,” said Shainy Mathew, town planning committee chairperson.
Earlier, during the term of Tony Chammany, the Corporation council had requested the RTA to issue more city permits - that is 7,000 and to streamline the three-wheelers operating within the city limits. Earlier, the Transport Department mooted a separate colour for permitted autos, that proposal also remains on paper. Meanwhile, auto drivers in the city have been demanding strict action against vehicles from outside areas operating in city areas.
Eves bat for online taxis which make life simple
A majority of women in Kochi support online taxis especially Uber and said it should stay to make life simple. Ms Diya Venugopal, a resident of Edappally, said life had become much smoother since the arrival of Uber services. “The drivers are polished unlike auto drivers. There are several offers which make the journeys equivalent or less than auto fares. I take an Uber even to go to the nearby Lulu Mall whereas auto drivers refuse to wait for the return trip when I go to the mall. To go to the gym at seaport-airport road everyday, I take an Uber. It is cool and comfortable and even when taking the children I prefer that. And, so far I have not had any negative experience,” she said.
Radhika P R, a senior project engineer at Infopark, Kakkanad, said that online taxis were extremely useful “at a time when we are fighting with auto drivers.” “Uber taxis come at the right time and for long trips it is more economical than taxis especially when we are late from the office. For short distances, with offers from them, the ride becomes so economical,” Radhika said. However, one of the users from Thoppumpady to Kaloor, Ms Nayana V said that recently, Uber services had become costlier even without surge pricing.
“I have been a strong supporter of Uber and I used to come to the office from my home for '170 but last week I was charged '290 and '366 for two trips. When I asked Uber, they said that these were elevated prices,” said Ms Nayana. However, the Uber App did not explicitly show that there was surge pricing, she pointed out. “An Uber official said that it being festival season, there were fewer vehicles and drivers in comparison to the high demand and hence prices had gone up,” she said.
