Taxi operators allege the app-based cab services are illegal.
Taxi services were partially hit today in Mumbai after a union went on strike protesting against app-based taxi operators like Uber, Ola and Taxi for Sure. The taxis had gone on a strike in July too alleging that the app-based taxi services were illegal and were hitting their business.
"We are the losers. We have appealed repeatedly to the government that taxi and tourist services cannot be compared and there must be a level-playing field," taxi driver Natarajan Anna said.
However, only Congress leader Nitesh Rane-led Swabhiman Taxi-Rickshaw Union went on a strike today and the bigger unions refused to join them.
"This is a political stunt. We are not part of this strike. There are 38,000 taxis and Mr Rane leads a very small fraction. Uber and Ola should only be for tourism purposes. But if they operate for daily transportation then what happens to us? AL Quadros, General Secretary, Mumbai Taximen's Union argued.
Another taxi driver, on conditions of anonymity, said that "goons" had forced the strike even as taxi drivers were willing to work. "When I came to work, a few gundas came and roughed me up. They threatened me saying if we worked today they would smash our vehicles."
The civic body had also ensured commuters faced minimum inconvenience and had arranged for extra bus services to run on select routes.