Bengaluru: Cab aggregators crack whip on erring drivers

Bengaluru: After a lot of hue and cry by customers, app-based cab aggregator service providers are finally taking measures to address their concerns. According to sources, major cab aggregators have ‘de-attached’ at least a thousand cabs in the last one week in the city for multiple reasons, including concerns raised by the customers.

According to the service providers, as per the state government's direction, they are de-attaching those cabs which are working for more than one company in violation of Karnataka On-demand Transportation Technology Aggregators’ Rules, 2016.

According to industry sources, common complaints raised by the customers against the cab drivers attached to the aggregators include: switching off mobile phones after trip confirmation, delay in arrival, opting for long routes etc. As complaints started to increase, the cab aggregators have started to de-attach erring drivers.

According to a driver attached to a cab aggregator service provider, the company officials requested him to return the equipment without giving any reason. “I was told that they have received multiple complaints against me from the passengers. But I was de-attached without any reason being given,” he said.

“I was not alone. Hundreds of drivers were de-attached in a single day. On Wednesday we too held a protest,” he explained.

But cab aggregators cite the Karnataka On-demand Transportation Technology Aggregators’ Rules, 2016, published by the state transport department, to justify their action.

“Cab drivers who had attached to other companies were de-attached with immediate effect. As the rules were already implemented in the state, we were left with no option,” said an officer from a cab aggregator company.

“Besides Ola and Uber there are numerous other aggregators also active in the city. Cab drivers must sign an undertaking that they will not get attached to other aggregators. Those who were violating this rule were de-attached,” he explained.