Commuters in Mumbai had a harrowing Tuesday. Rains disrupted the suburban train service – and a protest by taxi and rickshaw drivers from unions affiliated to the Shiv Sena left Mumbaikars stranded.
The drivers demanded that Ola and Uber services must be stopped in the city. They questioned how the ride-hailing companies were being funded, and alleged that proceeds of crime and black money was being used. Union leaders also alleged that the new entrants were offering unrealistic fares in a bid to drive the traditional kaali peelis out of business.
KK Tiwari, president of the Swabhiman Taxi Union, who addressed a protest rally at the Azad Maidan, threatened to “resort to violence and destroy vehicles belonging to Ola and Uber if the government did not respond to their grievances”.
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