Cab operators threaten stir over 'share cabs'

Hyderabad, Sept 7 (INN): The Telangana State Cabs and Bus Operators Association (TSCBOA) has threatened to go on strike if the State Government fails to ban 'Share Cabs' being operated by Mobile App-based aggregators Uber and Ola.

In a representation made to Transport Commissioner Sandeep Kumar Sultania on Wednesday, the TSCBOA accused the authorities of ignoring open violation of Motor Vehicles Act by Uber and Ola while operating 'Share Cabs'. "The MV Act clearly defines 'Stage Carriage' as motor vehicles constructed or adapted to carry more than six passengers excluding the driver. But both Uber and Ola are using regular cars to ferry passengers from one location to another on sharing basis. They are operating as 'Stage Carriers' without obtaining any permission from the authorities concerned," alleged TSCBOA President Syed Nizamuddin.

"There is no provision in the MV Act that allows Uber and Ola to operate share cabs. They are simply misusing the technology to abuse the rules. Besides cabs, Uber and Ola are also operating buses on certain routes by taking online booking while collecting payments through PAY TM or other online modes," said Syed Nizamuddin.

The TSCBOA chief also accused the Transport Department of showing favouritism to Uber and Ola. "The RTA authorities impose heavy fines and even seize our vehicles when any of our operators are even suspected of operating as stage carriers. However, we regret to say that the authorities have remained mute spectators to the open violation of rules by Uber and Ola. This favouritism is causing huge losses to the entire travel industry. Hundreds of operators, who regularly pay over Rs. 1,000 Crore per annum towards various taxes, have been put to peril, only to benefit two App-based aggregators," he said.

Syed Nizamuddin also informed the Transport Commissioner that some States, including Karnataka, have imposed ban on 'share cabs' by Uber and Ola. He said as per the law, no private operator is allowed to carry passengers from one stage to another stage which is also called the 'shuttle service'. Therefore, he said only Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) is allowed to operate as stage carrier in the GHMC limits. "The 'Share Cabs' of Ola and Uber are also causing huge losses to TSRTC, which is already facing financial crisis," he said.

The share cabs also pose a major concern to women security. Women are forced to travel with other men when they make a booking under 'share cabs', he said.

While requesting the Transport Department to take stern action against the 'share cabs' of Uber and Ola, Syed Nizamuddin warned that the cab operators of Telangana State would go on indefinite strike if authorities fail to act against this illegal operation.