City Taxi operators demand level-playing field

City Taxi operators demand level-playing field
Bangalore, DHNS:
Karnataka City Taxi Operators (Controllers) Association has sought government permit local city taxi operators to provide service from Bangalore International Airport at Devanahalli, and all newly set up bus and railway terminals across the City.


Speaking to media persons here on Thursday, Association vice-president and legislator N L Narendra Babu said the local city taxi operators were sustaining loss after the introduction of Meru and Easy Cab taxi services at the new airport. The operation of these taxis should be curbed to protect the interest of Kannadigas, he said.

Explaining the plight of city taxi operators, Association Secretary K Dharanish said as many as 3,000 city taxis were being operated in the City by locals for the past ten years. However, following the inauguration of the new airport at Devanahalli, 1,000 Meru and Easy Cab taxis, owned by Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh companies, had been introduced. “Though we can take customers to the airport, there is no entry or parking facility inside the airport for our vehicles nor can we pick customers on the way back. As a result, our earnings have dwindled and livelihood of as many as 6,000 drivers is at stake.”

He said the Association had submitted representations to the Chief Minister and the Union Government to take immediate steps in this regard. A protest would be launched including a jatha of city taxis to Vidhana Soudha if the demands were not met, he added.