Cab culture hits auto business hard

With a number of transport service providers entering the market, the people, especially the upper middle-class, have started opting to travel in cabs over auto rickshaws for a comfortable journey at affordable cost

Hyderabad: By providing better transportation services at cheaper prices and being tech-savvy, the cabs have captured the market in the city causing a worry to the Hyderabad auto drivers who have of late seen a dent in their business.

With number of transport service providers entering the market, the people, especially the upper middle-class started opting to travel in cabs over auto rickshaws for a comfortable journey at affordable cost.

There are several factors that are influencing the rise of cab culture. The auto drivers have failed to adapt to the changing lifestyles and expectations from commuters. Because there is no fixed tariff for auto rickshaws, the commuters need to bargain.

They demand high rates most of the time and rather refuse to come. On the contrary, the cabs have been offering doorstep service, A/C facility and metered bill with cab tracking system. The cabs also accept payment through debit cards and give a proper receipt. These facilities have been threatening to cause a big dent to the business of auto rickshaws.

Speaking to The Hans India, a senior police officer said, “There are many factors that affect the auto drivers. First among them is the attitude in responding to a passenger, then the rejection of taking the passenger, demand for extra fare and threatening the passengers. These are some of the reasons which are making people shift to cabs.

We have been regularly counselling the auto drivers to behave well with the passengers, but it is rarely seen.”.Sujatha, an employee working in Hi Tech city, says that she prefers cabs as they offer better service and the tariff too is fixed and reasonable. “We know the fare that would be charged by the driver before starting the journey.

There is no demand for extra money too by the driver,” said K S Rao, a bank employee in Secunderabad. When asked about the complaints lodged on auto drivers and cabbies, the officer said, “Almost all the complaints are on auto drivers and the complaints on cabbies can be counted on fingers.

The common problems observed are rejection of rides, erratic behaviour of the driver and extra demand,” the officer said.“Safety for passengers is guaranteed in both cabs and autos. It is a matter of criminal intent present in the respective driver. Not all the persons are same.

However, cabs have GPS systems and other driver verification systems to at least prove the public that their ride will be safer,” the police officer said.

By:Jayendra Chaithanya T