Kozhikode: It was not a warm welcome for the private online taxis in Kerala, when they were introduced for the first time in the state. The opposition was not from the public, but the traditional taxi drivers, who found the new comer, as an invader to their already shrinking income. Though it was successful in major cities, their journey was not as smooth as it was devised.
Repeatedly, the taxis were attacked by the taxis unions in Kozhikode, while picking and dropping passengers, and the ride has literally become adventurous. The first comer in the sector, Mango cabs had to stop their services and shut down even their office here. The second in line here, was Ola, who made a silent entry, without much advertisements and could win the trust of the drivers, with attractive incentives.
However, an unexpected cut in the incentive for the drivers has made several of them to think otherwise and waiting keenly for the government announced online taxis. Initially, the Ola drivers say, they were given Rs 450 as incentive for three trips, Rs 1000 for six trips and Rs 1800 for 12 trips. This was slashed to Rs 300 for six to 11 bookings, Rs 550 for 12 to 15 bookings, Rs 900 for 16 to 19 bookings.
“The drivers in the private online taxis took up the job daring the attack from the traditional taxis and their unions. Now, the agencies are also slashing the incentive and there is no much difference between the online taxis and traditional platforms. Even recently I faced an attack near railway station, while dropping passengers,” says Muhammed Riyas, who shifted to online taxi after it was introduced in town. “Many drivers amongst us, are declining to take up ride. Though there were nearly 100 drivers in the city, now there are only a handful who are regularly on service. Once the government introduces online taxis, it would be a relief for the drivers as well as the passengers,” he adds.
Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society (ULCCS) chairman Ramesh Paleri told Onmanorama that they were chalking out the rates and incentives for the drivers and software and hardware installation in the vehicles. The statewide project was announced by Labour minister T P Ramakrishnan in April. “We are devising the tariffs and rates for the service. Discussions are going on about the software and hardware to be set up in the vehicles. Since this is a state-wide project, things have to be planned comprehensively, and we are scheduling to start it in another six months,” he says.
The move to start state-run online taxis comes after the Centre's announcement to provide hassle-free transport throughout the country.
