Citing that the mobile application based taxi services were directly impacting them, the drivers of black-and-yellow taxis said they had resorted to protests in a bid to survive in the face of competition.
Following a day-long strike on Tuesday where nearly 10,000 taxis stayed off roads , the black-and-yellow taxis are staying off the roads today as well with the Nitesh Rane-led Swabhimaan Union stating that it would push for an indefinite strike until the state government assures them of action.
Uber's response:
Uber has declared that they will not be charging any surge pricing (which is a norm during such situations) on account of the strike in an endeavour to keep the commercial capital moving #KEEPMUMBAIMOVING. Launching the Uber app in Mumbai displays the message which reads 'Dynamic pricing has been disabled through today's strike as well until midnight. Uber Mumbai remains committed at offering you, 'Mumbai's commuters, choice and reliability when you need it the most.'
The company announced that it has started cash payment option in Delhi, Bangaluru and Kolkata from yesterday, in a clear bid to snatch market from the old-economy taxis. The company already has this option in 22 cities in India, its second largest market outside the US. Now, with the roll-out in three more cities, Mumbai is one major market where it is yet to start cash payments.
“We’re thrilled to enable cash as a payment option for our riders today, especially on a day (strike) when commuters across India might find it difficult to get around in their cities. With cash as another payment option, riders have more choice in terms of payment, in order to help them move easier from point A to point B,” Bhavik Rathod, GM, Uber Bangalore, has been quoted as saying in media reports.
Insider sources have revealed that Uber is in the process of getting regulatory clearances from the RBI for payment bank licence to launch its own semi closed wallet for ride payments. Uber currently accepts PayTm wallet and Airtel Money for its cashless ride service.
