BENGALURU: Autorickshaw and taxi drivers staged a protest in front of the office of Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya, on Friday. During the event, they expressed their discontent with his endorsement of carpooling in the city. MP Surya had recently written to the Chief Minister, urging changes in regulations to facilitate carpooling as a means to alleviate traffic congestion. However, his stance didn’t sit well with the taxi and auto unions.

Radhakrishna Holla, President of the Karnataka State Travel Owners’ Association, voiced concerns, highlighting that the MP’s position contradicts the traditional taxi operators who adhere to regulations, acquire permits, pay taxes, and cover expenses like insurance. Holla stated, “We are following government rules. There are more than 2.5 lakh motor cabs, maxicabs, and vehicles transporting company employees on the city’s roads. If you permit everyone to use their private cars for passenger transport, how can these drivers sustain their livelihoods? The MP’s stance is misleading and detrimental to drivers.”

The protesters held placards calling for the MP’s resignation, although Tejasvi Surya was not present in his office during the demonstration.

What is carpooling?

Often referred to as car-sharing or ridesharing, carpooling is a transportation arrangement in which individuals share a car to travel together from one location to another, typically to a common destination or workplace. It’s a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to reduce the number of vehicles on the road, save money on fuel and maintenance, and decrease traffic congestion and air pollution. Carpooling is usually coordinated among people who have similar commuting routes or destinations. It’s a practical solution for reducing traffic, promoting sustainability, and making more efficient use of existing transportation resources.

Carpooling can present challenges and disadvantages for cab drivers or taxi operators, as it can impact their business and livelihood in various ways:

1. Reduced Earnings: Carpooling often involves multiple passengers sharing the same ride, which means a single fare is divided among the passengers. This can lead to a decrease in the earnings of cab drivers since they’re making less per passenger.

2. Fewer Solo Fares: Carpooling encourages multiple passengers to travel together, reducing the demand for solo cab rides. Cab drivers may have to wait longer or travel with fewer passengers, impacting their income.

3. Government Regulations: Regulations regarding carpooling services may differ from traditional taxi regulations, leading to unequal competition in the transportation industry. Cab drivers may find it challenging to adapt to changing regulations.

4. Shift in Customer Preferences: As carpooling becomes more popular, some customers may prefer the cost savings and social aspects of ridesharing, which can lead to a decline in traditional taxi use.

5. Business Instability: The instability of the traditional taxi industry due to the rise of carpooling can make it challenging for cab drivers to plan for the future and secure their livelihood.

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