At present, the number of taxis are around 42,000 — this excludes the 3,000-odd Cool Cabs. Few months ago, the state government allowed renewal of dead permits, ideally to incentivise more people to apply for taxi permits.
This may sound surprising, but taxi unions in the city do not want a fare hike, irrespective of whether the four-member Khatua Committee has suggested a hike or not. This comes a day after the committee submitted it's recommendation to the state government.
Sources have said that there is a possibility of a fare hike for auto rickshaws and taxis plying in Mumbai, but the unions feel this will only affect their livelihood further. "We are yet to see the recommendations given by the Khatau Committee, but we are not in favour of a fare hike, at least at this point of time," said AL Quadros, Mumbai Taximen Union's chief.
This has happened due to the dropping demand, which has shifted to the air-conditioned mobile aggregators like Uber and Ola. The taxi union claims that if there is any increase in the fares, then the demand will drop further.
At present, the number of taxis are around 42,000 — this excludes the 3,000-odd Cool Cabs. Few months ago, the state government allowed renewal of dead permits, ideally to incentivise more people to apply for taxi permits.
However, officials from Regional Transport Office state that there hasn't been much demand for newer taxi permits and that less than 500 people have applied for it. Moreover, the documents submitted by these 500 applicants will be scrutinised before passing their application; thus further bringing down the actual number.
The cabs operated by the mobile aggregators, on the other hand, have mushroomed on city roads. Over the last three years, the numbers have gone up from a mere 8,000 or so, to well over 40,000 vehicles on the road. The aggregators of Ola and Uber continue to enjoy ridership despite constant complaints.
In fact, the drivers, too, have been opposing the two companies as they claim that the actual earnings have dropped from Rs 1 lakh initially to around Rs 30,000 a month, or even less.
On the other hand, the auto rickshaw unions are optimistic if any increase is seen in fares. Meanwhile, the state government is yet to study the Khatua Committee report that has been submitted to Transport minister Diwakar Raote.
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