31 August,2010 06:28 AM IST | | Vedika Chaubey
Au00a0defiant taxi union bossu00a0Au00a0L Quadros says cabbies will not mend their ways until the government meets their demands
Despite campaigns against cabbies who refuse passengers, general secretary of Mumbai Taximen's Union, Anthony Quadros, is unfazed. The union, he says, first wants the government to fulfil demands that have been made for rest places, taxi stands, urinals and other facilities. Unless these are fulfilled, taxi drivers will continue to refuse passengers, Quadros tells Vedika Chaubey
HARD TALK: A L Quadros,u00a0 general secretary of Mumbai Taximen's Union, says that they will continue to refuse fares until and unless the government fulfils their demands. PICS/PRADEEP DHIVAR, SAYEDu00a0SAMEER ABEDI
Have you spoken to taxi drivers about the issue of refusing passengers?
I have told my taxi drivers not to get worked up in case they're caught for refusing short-distance fares. Taxi drivers too are human. After driving for hours on end, they do need to take a moment's rest and because they don't have any, they simply refuse to ply and relax on the road itself. We will continue to refuse fares until and unless the government fulfils our demands.
Do you think cabbies are being targeted?
Refusing fares is nothing new. It's been happening for decades. Suddenly, this issue has assumed a new proportion more than crimes like terrorism and rape, for instance. It's nothing but a ploy to make money. Besides, the government wants to bring more fleet of taxis.
What kind of problems do taxi drivers face?
Animals get better treatment than cabbies. The working condition of taxi drivers is worse than that of beasts. At least, animals get some protection from NGOs. Taxi drivers have no place to have their meals. They are forced to eat in their taxis and passengers approach them even at that time. If the driver refuses, he is liable to be fined. Others, like BEST drivers, for instance, are entitled to a 30-minute break for every three hours that they drive.
Why do cabbies refuse fares?
Nearly 11 lakh passengers commute by taxi every day across the city. Of the 55,000 taxis in the city, 18,000 cabs are in the suburbs and are driven to the city for work. In the suburbs, they face competition from 1.15 lakh autorickshaws. So, the taxi drivers from the suburbs come in the morning and return in the evening. Imagine, just as he's getting ready to go home, a passenger wants to be taken to Colaba, how can he drive him there especially after driving the entire day?
So what are your union's demands?
Give us basic infrastructure. We have asked for rest places, taxi stands, transit points and urinals. Drivers need to be able to eat in peace. We have asked the RTO for an 'engaged' taxi board, which can be used by the driver at the time of rest. Besides, we want an enquiry committee headed by a prominent social figure or retired judge of the high court to study the problems of taximen and public. A report of this should be made available to the public within three months.
Do you think there are too few taxis in the city?
Yes, the city needs more taxis. While there is a huge demand, the supply is too little. Most taxis lie idle because of lack of drivers. Passengers have increased and number of taxis has decreased. In 1997, there were 58,000 taxis in the city when its population stood at 80 lakh. Now, there are nearly 40,000 taxis and population has gone to 1.40 crore. After the migrant issue came to the fore, many drivers have moved out of the city, leaving several taxis lying idle.
What about taxi stands?
Earlier, the city had 1,600 taxi stands. The government did away with these either to widen roads or for other reasons. The government had promised to set up taxi stands, but seems to have conveniently forgotten
about it.
35,880, the number of complaints made from railway stations against cabs last year. The corresponding number for autorickshaws was 5,199.
15,606, the number of complaints registered till April this year against taxis. The corresponding number for autorickshaws was 2,606.
| Yesterday's strike |
| The response to a flash taxi strike called by the RPI yesterday received a rather tepid response. Nearly 80 taxis were reportedly damaged, allegedly by fellow cabbies who were protesting against Home Minister R R Patil's 'decision' to increase the fine from Rs 100 to Rs 300 for not wearing a uniform. It was later revealed that Patil had not taken any such decision and the protesters went on a destructive spree on the basis of a rumour. |
Voices
We have met the government and transport authorities to sort out this matter. We have also communicated to the transport commissioner and traffic commissioner about problems that the public faces on the roads. Now it's up to them to decide.
Nitin Sardesai, General secretary, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena
Refusal to ply is illegal and anybody who supports this is committing a crime. They [cabbies] have u00a0no right to refuse fares.
Dilip Jadhav, Transport commissioner
As for taximen voicing their demands, they do have a right to speak in a democratic country. However, I don't think they should refuse passengers.
Brijesh Singh, Additional commissioner of police (Traffic)
We're happy the public has become aware and are registering complaints. The government too is taking action against errant cabbies. The taximen, of course, have every right to speak.
Abhilash Krishnan, Participant of Meter Jam campaign
We start work in the morning and sometimes rest for few minutes. It's during this brief time of rest that we refuse passengers.
Sayyad Sharif, Taxi driver
It's not like I do not want to earn money. But when I do refuse a passenger, it is in the evening when I'm returning home.
Suresh Kumar, Taxi driver
