App-based aggregators compromising on drivers'

App-based aggregators compromising on drivers' security: TSCBOA

Hyderabad, October 10: The Telangana Cabs and Bus Operators Association (TSCBOA) and Telangana Cabs Drivers & Owners Association (TCDOA) have strongly condemned the attack on cab driver Bhashya Ramavath by some unidentified passengers and accused the Aap-based aggregators Ola and Uber of comprising with the drivers' security.

Three persons robbed Bhashya of his cash, mobile phones and drove away with his Maruti Swift Desire car at Suraram on October 8. They later abandoned the vehicle in damaged condition at Outer Ring Road in Bongulur.

TSCBOA president Syed Nizamuddin said Bhashya got a booking through Ola Cabs at 1.30 AM for a Vanasthalipuram-Bachupally trip and met with this incident. He said that the Ola authorities did not come to the rescue of Bhashya after the incident. "App-based aggregators are accepting bookings from unknown customers at odd timings without even considering the risk involved to drivers' lives and properties. Further, they are simply disowning the drivers whenever they are attacked," he said.

Syed Nizamuddin said that the Ola authorities did not respond when Bhashya informed them about the incident. They contended that their role was confined to giving bookings. "They cannot act in such an irresponsible manner. They just want to earn profits on each booking, but they don't want to share the risk and damage being faced by the driver. Bhashya is a poor ST who somehow managed to get a cab to earn his livelihood. Now he lost his lone source of livelihood. Ola authorities must display some compassion towards their drivers who they call their "partners"," he said.

The TSCBOA president reminded that one Uber driver D. Srinivas was attacked by a passenger on August 25 in Kachiguda Police limits. In that case, Uber authorities refused to accept any responsibility. He said that the State Government should regulate App-based aggregators in the interest of drivers and also the society.

Meanwhile, Telangana Cabs Drivers & Owners Association president B. Venkatesh Goud demanded that the Cyberabad Police take stern action against the culprits who attacked driver Bhashya. He warned of mass agitation by the drivers if action is delayed. (eom)

For More Details On This, Please Contact:

Syed Nizamuddin, 

President, TSCBOA

+91 9000 90 6565