This basically translates into greater demand for public transport, especially the so-called hygienic and safer options like app cabs. But going by recent experiences of people, in these two years, the app cab service in the city has turned into a nightmare.
Refusals and cancellations have become the order of the day. Then there are sudden strikes by drivers or madding fare surges.
So how do we commute? Read on to get an idea about what you are up against and how you can get your grievances redressed.
COMMUTERS SHARE THEIR WOES
I WAS FORCED OFF AN APP CAB BY DRIVERS ON STRIKE: MANALI MANISHA DEY, ACTRESS
I had a terrible experience while travelling to a shoot location in Joka in an app cab. As we neared Behala Chowrasta, I saw a few men stopping app cabs and forcing the passengers to get off. They were even throwing stones at the cabs. When I asked them the reason, they just said app cabs are on strike and told me, ”
Ekhon bolchi, neme jaan gari theke
.” I could manage to do a live from the place and posted it on my social media handle so that everyone gets to know what common people are going through. This should be stopped,” Manali said.
SURGES, CANCELLATIONS ADDING TO OUR WOES: ARYAMAAN BISWAS, CLASS XI STUDENT
The service standard of app cabs is getting increasingly questionable. We lose a great deal of time just in finding a cab as repeated refusal is common. High cancellation fee and sudden surge during rain makes it worse. I have faced innumerable instances when I had to look for an alternative mode of transport after facing constant refusals or cancellations by app cab drivers.
YELLOW CABS DEMAND HIGHER FARES NOW: PIYALI MITRA, MEDIA PROFESSIONAL
I face problems every day while returning from my office in the Taltala area. I stay near Golpark and app cabs either cancel after knowing my destination or constantly call for directions. They also refuse to turn on the AC despite the high fare. So I prefer yellow cabs. But they refuse to charge by the meter. They demand at least Rs 250-300 for the ride. They reason that their business is not good, so the higher fare.
REFUSAL BY CABBIES IS COMMON IN THE CITY: AUPAMIK CHAKRABORTY, EDUCATION PROFESSIONAL
As a student, I often had to travel to different parts of the city on various errands. On several of these, I remember trying to hail a yellow taxi with little to no avail. Most of the taxis that did stop either refused to go by the meter or demanded a hiked fare. In most of the cases, I was pressed for time and ended up paying a higher fare or taking alternative modes of transport.
BOTH TYPES OF CABS ARE FLEECING US: MISHA CHAKRABARTY, CLASS XII STUDENT
During the pandemic, I preferred to take cabs as it seemed hygienic. But the abnormal surge charges made it challenging. A distance of 10 mins within Salt Lake can cost Rs 150 and so can a trip to Park Street! As for yellow taxis, the meters are just for show as they will always charge way more. They even go to the extent of showing app cab prices to justify their charges. We are now in a dilemma as to which service to choose.
HOW TO GET HELP FROM POLICE
ANYONE WITH A GRIEVANCE CAN FILE A COMPLAINT ONLINE: ARIJIT SINHA, DC TRAFFIC, KOLKATA POLICE
We have a traffic complaint card that allows anyone to file traffic related complaints online. In addition to this, all complaints related to cab refusals received on social media are looked into by our Special Raid section, as well as the Public Grievance Cell. Over and above these, complainants can call up the 1073 traffic helpline as well. We received around 63 such complaints last month. All the vehicles were prosecuted in accordance with existing Motor Vehicle Act regulations.
THE APP CAB SCENARIO
APP CABBIES RUE DWINDLING INCOME
The current lot of app cab drivers in the city is frustrated. “The app cab companies charge about 20% of the fare earned by us. That’s why we mostly opt for longer riders. The more the distance, the more we earn. Owing to the frequent hikes in fuel prices, shorter rides leave us with almost nothing,” said Shentu Mondal, the owner and driver of a cab. Another driver, who chose to remain unnamed, explained the situation in detail. “If we take a ride, say for Rs 200, we have to pay Rs 40 to the company and burn at least 1 litre of fuel (around Rs 100). So, my net income is Rs 60. From that, I have to keep aside a certain portion for maintenance and monthly EMIs on the car. Now, you tell me, how do we survive?”
Besides, if a rider books a cab during peak hours for a short ride to a congested area, the driver usually cancels the ride. “We cancel such rides because for a small amount of money, we would have to spend a lot of time standing in traffic. Within that time, we can do longer rides and earn more,” Shyam, another driver, told us, adding, “There is another problem no one is talking about. Within the two years of the pandemic, many drivers lost their cars for not being able to pay EMIs to banks. We don’t want to be next.”
WE’VE DOUBLED EFFORTS TO ENSURE RELIABLE SERVICE: APP CAB CO SPOKESPERSON
Drivers cancelling trips goes against our promise to riders. We are doubling our efforts to ensure a reliable service through driver education and improvements to our app and procedures. Starting November 2021, we have begun showing the destination of the trip to drivers before they accept the ride to reduce potential friction between riders and drivers. Also, we expect drivers on our platform to keep the car AC switched on during a ride. In case of the driver’s refusal, riders have the option to reach us via in-app chat messages, our 24X7 safety helpline or post-trip feedback.
YELLOW CABS IN A WORSE PLACE
AT THIS RATE, YELLOW CABS WILL SOON DISAPPEAR FROM CITY STREETS: SANJIB ROY, ASSISTANT SECRETARY, BENGAL TAXI ASSOCIATION
When diesel price was Rs 60 then the minimum fare of a yellow cab was Rs 30. Now, when it’s Rs 95, the minimum fare is the same. In fact, the last fare revision was done in 2014. The prices of tyres, battery and lubricants have increased too. So, how will the yellow taxi drivers survive with a minimum fare of Rs 30? They have no option but to charge extra. There used to be 40,000 yellow taxis in Kolkata a couple of years back, but now, the number is 20,000. Of these, only 15,000 are operating. Many taxi owners had difficultly surviving during the pandemic. Now most don’t want to get back in the business as there’s hardly any profit. Moreover, as per the approved scrappage policy, which comes into effect from April 1, 2022, all vehicles older than 15 years will be taken off the streets. The bitter truth is that Kolkata’s iconic yellow taxis could well disappear from roads in a few years if this situation continues.
YELLOW CAB DRIVERS IN BAD SHAPE: SUKUMAR DOLAI, TAXI DRIVER
Not every taxi driver refuses to take the metered fare. But yes, we charge extra at times as our situation is frustrating. The price of diesel is around Rs 95 and the minimum fare is still Rs 30. We have to bear the fuel cost and pay the taxi owners Rs 300 per day. How do we survive? Yes, we do refuse to go to places like Behala, Garia, Dunlop or Bantala late in the evening as we don’t get passengers on the way back. The government must do something fast to help us survive. It’s hard to continue like this.
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/kolkata-cabbies-take-customers-for-a-ride-with-refusals-cancellations-strikes/articleshow/89730609.cms
