Taxi aggregators Ola and Uber in Delhi-NCR will be on strike starting Tuesday demanding the extension of the moratorium on loan repayments and an increase in fares in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Around 2 lakh taxi drivers have called for a strike as their calls have led to no action by the government, said Kamaljeet Singh Gill, president of the Sarvodaya Drivers Association of Delhi.
“Due to the acute financial crisis caused by the lockdown, drivers are unable to pay their EMIs. The loan repayment moratorium ended today and banks are already putting pressure on us. Drivers are afraid that banks will recall their vehicles for not paying. EMIs. “Gill said.
Taxi drivers have also demanded that Ola and Uber raise the fare and increase commissions. Gill said the fare should be set by the government rather than the taxi aggregators.
There was no immediate reaction from Ola or Uber on the drivers’ strike call.
The strike may cause difficulties for large numbers of commuters as Metro train services have yet to resume and public transit buses are running at reduced capacity due to social distancing rules.
“Most drivers are struggling to feed their families at the moment and do not have the means to meet their financial obligations. Unless the government helps us, there is no way we can work without fear of losing our vehicles.” Gill said.
Drivers have also demanded the removal of “heavy penalties” against them for speed limit violations.
Taxi drivers will gather near Himachal Bhawan at Mandi House on Tuesday to seek government action on their demands, he said.
This story was published from a news agency feed with no changes to the text. Only the title has been changed.
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