Meru Cabs, the largest fleet cab operator — caught in the strike by its Sena-led union Meru Chalak Sena — have lessened the number of vehicles and are also threatening to stop services in Mumbai. Normally, Meru has about 1,500 cabs plying on the roads daily although 2,090 cabs are registered with the transport department.

“Possibly, Meru has returned permits they had taken on lease to the respective holders,” said an RTO official. “They are giving reasons like drivers aren’t trained enough or issues with the vehicle for the number to go down,” said a Transport official.

But the Meru administration refuted all allegations. “We have over 2,000 permits on lease. The off-road vehicles are under maintenance or drivers are on leave and hence, only 1,500 vehicles are on roads,” said Siddhartha Pahwa, CEO, Meru Cabs.