Pune: Autorickshaw drivers in Pune will soon get app-based services to help them compete with taxi aggregator services like Ola and Uber.
The advent of taxi aggregators, although hailed by commuters, has not gone down well with many autorickshaw drivers. Sometimes, when required by commuters, the autorickshaw drivers refuse to go to their destinations.
“We are planning to launch aggregator app service for autorickshaws. When commuters book service through the app, the autorickshaw drivers will reach that place and commuters can also call the autorickshaw drivers,” said Balasaheb Ajri, Regional Transport Officer, Pune.
The RTO is working with Pune Rickshaw Panchayat to develop the app. The new app service will be developed by a Pune-based IT company. The fare will also be decided by the RTO. The RTO is waiting for approval of State government.
Pune has seen numerous strikes and cabs have been attacked. The State government is yet to take a final call on the proposed guidelines for such service providers, which has added to the unrest.
In order to take on the technology-based players, Nitin Pawar, convenor of Rickshaw Panchayat said, “The Rickshaw Panchayat is involved in developing an app-based service for Pune’s autorickshaw drivers. But the final decision has to be taken by the RTO.”
“Usage of technology would certainly reduce denial of passengers by the rickshaw drivers. An app-based service will open the fare to all rickshaw drivers in the vicinity. It will widen the scope of those who are serious about business and help the consumer as well,” he said.
Earlier, the rickshaw union had also taken up the cause of a similar service when its members had undertaken a fast unto death protest. The district collector, who is also the head of the district transport authority, had directed the Pune Municipal Commissioner to explore such an app-based service in early 2016.
