Kolkata, July 26 (IANS) Daily commuters may face extreme hardship on Monday as app cab services will not be available from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. due to a 12-hour strike in the city.
App cab operators have called the strike with 11-point demands, including a fare hike. The app cab drivers have been called to gather at Ramlila Park in central Kolkata at 11 a.m. on Monday to express solidarity with protesting drivers.
A member of an app cab operator said, “We had raised the same demands with the previous government as well. We have also raised demands with the new government. Tomorrow, we will march from Ramlila Park to the State Transport Department. We will give a deputation, mentioning our demands. We hope that the new government in the state will give us a patient hearing. The previous government did not pay heed to our demands and app cab drivers continue to face hardship in the changing times.”
A circular has been issued to app cab drivers highlighting multiple demands. The circular mentions that fares should be restructured with the rise in the price of petrol and diesel, private bikes and cars should not be used in commercial sectors, and the CNG availability problem in Kolkata should be resolved. In the case of commercial vehicles, the use of mobile numbers for pollution should be stopped, and fares must be increased for AC luxury cabs.
Whether it is the beginning of the week or any day, a large number of people currently rely on app cab services. There is no alternative to a cab to reach their destination in a short time without any hassle. Whether AC or non-AC, the cab reaches the doorstep with just one click as needed. The service of app cabs is available throughout the day and night in the city.
However, drivers are facing multiple problems in providing passenger services. The strike has been called demanding that the new government in West Bengal solve their existing issues.
–IANS
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