Commuters bear the brunt as app-cabs go off roads

Kolkata: Passengers and daily commuters faced a lot of trouble on Monday due to the strike called by the app cab owners and drivers.

It is alleged that the strike supporters assaulted some app cab drivers who were providing services and also forced the passengers to deboard the cabs.

According to sources, on Monday morning, strike supporters gathered at different locations such as Howrah, Sealdah and Esplanade. It is alleged that a cab driver in Esplanade was assaulted by strike supporters and they forced a woman to get off from the cab. The strike supporters reportedly broke the mobile phone of the driver as well. In Sealdah station area, strike supporters almost resorted to hooliganism and forced the app cab drivers to stop providing services. They also allegedly blocked the way of a commercial car which was hired by a department of the state government. Passengers alleged that while the strike supporters were resorting to hooliganism, the police did not take any action to prevent them from assaulting the drivers and obstructing services. But sources informed that several strike supporters have been detained across the city.

This apart, passengers had to cough up huge amount of money to reach their destinations by booking app cabs.

On Monday, app cab commuters witnessed that the fare has been increased three fold compared to the normal fare. Also taking the advantage of the strike, no refusal taxi drivers also increased fares.

The state government had taken several measures to counter the effect of the strike. A lot of busses plied across the city to help commuters reach their destinations.

Several passengers faced harassment while travelling in the crowded buses, but they reached their destinations due to the effort by the state Transport department. The strike will be continued on Tuesday also moreover a section of no-refusal taxi drivers and owners is likely to back the strike. This may add to commuters' trouble for another day.