Cabbies Ends Strike After Collector Assures Action Against Bike Taxis Nagpur: A week-long strike by app-based cab drivers at the city’s airport concluded on Wednesday night after district collector Kumar Ashirwad pledged to take legal action against aggregator companies allowing bike ride services in violation of the Motor Vehicles Act. The drivers had protested for seven days, demanding higher fares and the removal of bike riders from their apps, citing adverse impacts on their business. They also accused bike operators of operating without commercial licenses, which they claimed violated Regional Transport Office (RTO) regulations. The collector assured media outlets that bikes would be detained and fined if found in violation of rules. He emphasized that commercial licenses are mandatory for offering paid transportation services, stating, “A hefty fine is expected to discourage the bikers. Like the cabs, even the bikes need a commercial licence if services are to be offered for a charge.” Additionally, the administration plans to launch an awareness campaign warning bikers against using aggregator apps without proper licensing. Two union leaders, Deepak Sane and Rishi Kuwar of the Tax Chalak Malak Kruti Samiti, confirmed the strike’s end. Sane highlighted the drivers’ financial strain during the protest and reiterated their demand for fare adjustments aligned with the Regional Transport Authority’s (RTA) schedule. Kuwar noted the collector’s agreement to review fare structures. Sane also urged local authorities to reconsider a proposed government-run app for transport services, which had been discussed over a year ago but failed to gain traction.#nagpur #district_collector_kumar_ashirwad #tax_chalak_malak_kruti_samiti #regional_transport_office #regional_transport_authority
Cabbies End Strike After Collector Promises Action Against Bike Taxis Nagpur: A week-long strike by app-based cab drivers at the city's airport concluded on Wednesday night after district collector Kumar Ashirwad assured action against bike taxi operators violating transportation regulations. The drivers had protested for seven days, demanding higher fares and the removal of bike riders from aggregator platforms, citing adverse effects on their business. They alleged that bike operators were operating without commercial licenses, breaching rules set by the Regional Transport Office (RTO). The collector confirmed to The Times of India that bikes would be detained and fined if found in violation of the Motor Vehicles Act. He emphasized that commercial licenses are mandatory for any vehicle offering paid transportation services. "A hefty fine is expected to deter unauthorized bike operators," he stated, adding that the administration would launch an awareness campaign to prevent unlicensed riders from using the apps. Leaders of the Tax Chalak Malak Kruti Samiti, the driver union organizing the strike, confirmed the resolution. Deepak Sane, a union leader, noted that while the strike ended, demands for fare hikes remained unresolved. He highlighted that the collector agreed to align fares with the RTA's schedule, which had been a key grievance. Rishi Kuwar, another leader, reiterated the need for fair compensation, stating the strike had left drivers in financial distress. Sane also called for reconsideration of a government-run app for transport services, a proposal previously submitted to the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) but abandoned. He argued that such an app would provide drivers with greater autonomy and reduce reliance on private aggregators.#nagpur_airport #deepak_sane #district_collector_kumar_ashirwad #tax_chalak_malak_kruti_samiti #rishi_kuwar
