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Taxi, auto unions threaten strike demand fare hike

In fact, autos in many parts of Navi Mumbai have already gone on a strike, protesting against the lowering of tariffs by the government. The state transport commissioner conducted a survey in Navi Mumbai, the satellite city, and found that nearly 90 per cent of auto-rickshaws were running on compressed natural gas (CNG); yet, their tariffs were fixed on the basis of petrol-driven vehicles.

The government cracked down on the practice and lowered the minimum fare to Rs11 from Rs15, bringing it on par with the auto fares in Mumbai and Thane. However, the aggressive auto-rickshaw operators’ union has called for a strike, inconveniencing thousands of commuters in Navi Mumbai.

But auto-rickshaws in Mumbai and Thane are now demanding a Rs5 hike in the minimum fare to Rs16, citing the higher tariffs in many other cities. Sharad Rao, who has a stranglehold over transport unions in Mumbai, has warned of an indefinite strike from next month if the government did not agree to the fare hike.

And the perennially disgruntled cabbies of Mumbai — who operate the black-and-yellow taxis — are also threatening to go on a strike. A.L. Quadros, their union leader, has warned of an indefinite strike if the government does not agree to yet another fare hike.

Despite the government’s efforts, most taxis dictate terms to commuters, refusing to ferry them to their destination if the distance is short. At airports and railway terminals, many cabbies extort passengers, refusing to go short distances, and charging hefty premiums for longer distances.

Quadros and other union leaders are also opposed to the introduction of electronic meters, as cabbies would then not be able to cheat commuters.

In Mumbai, Meru Cabs, a leading fleet taxi operator, has also seen its operations being crippled following a strike instigated by a new union, the Swabhiman Sanghatana, floated by Nitesh, the son of Narayan Rane, the state’s industries minister, and a former Shiv Sena chief minister. Rajesh Puri, CEO, Meru Cabs, notes that Rane’s organisation is using pressure tactics and even attacking its drivers, forcing them to go on strike. Nitesh has been aggressively trying to make inroads into the transport unions, trying to dislodge the Shiv Sena and the NCP.

But ultimately, it is the commuter who pays a heavy price for the ambitions of politicians trying to score over rivals. Meru and other fleet operators have been running a fairly transparent business, especially at Mumbai airport, ferrying travellers to their homes and offices at fixed rates.

However, despite the growth of the radio taxi business in Mumbai, it is often difficult to get them during the peak-hours, or many times even at airports and railway terminals.