Rapido riders also known as ‘Captains’ are caught in a dilemma after the government’s sudden decision to ban bike taxis in the state, coupled with no response they receive from the company.
An “officer order” issued by the District Transport Officer, East Khasi Hills to ban the operation of app-based two-wheeler taxi services such as Rapido among others yesterday has sparked widespread debate with many people expressing strong objection against stating it was “anti-people” since the service has provided livelihood to a large number of local unemployed youth.
Rapido drivers in the meantime are left in the lurch who to approach as the DTO office, since it is a Saturday, remained closed while the manager responsible to look after the company’s affairs in Shillong was not available and did not pick up any calls. Highland Post too tried calling both the managers of Rapido and Uber but to no avail.
Most of the riders earn their living as part-timers to support their education and families.
Asked if they are aware if the company has fulfilled laid down norms for the two-wheeler taxis to operate the riders said their job is to operate and registration to apply as captains are done online.
For a person to register as a captain in Rapido, one has to submit a valid driving licence, PAN card or Aadhar and registration of their motorbikes and when the company gives its approval once documents are screened, a rider said.
He also said that after every trip once the wallet of a captain reaches Rs 150, he has to pay to the company and then the ride gets activated again. “Suppose if the passenger fare is Rs 73 then we have to pay Rs 15.44 to the company,” he explained.
According to the riders, most of the work is online and they don’t have an outlet to air grievances.
It is learnt that for every problems that the captains face, the company manager has not been forthcoming and this recent issue has left the captains confused.
It may be mentioned that the order passed yesterday was also criticised since it did not specify the exact reasons for the ban except that it was quoted that the ban was enforced as per sub-section (1) of Section 66 of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988.
Late night, the office of the East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner posted a “clarification” on its Facebook page on the order stating that all taxi aggregators and bike-taxis have to register and apply for a licence prior to commencement of operations as per the Meghalaya Taxi Aggregator Operational Rules vide Notification of the Transport Department dated 14th February 2020.
The notice has come in the wake of complaints that bike-taxis were operating without such license or without valid documents, following which the Regional Transport Authority headed by the deputy commissioner had instructed the District Transport Officer and the Member Secretary to direct all existing operators and interested licensees to register in order to ensure compliance to all provisions of the said rules with respect to drivers’ profile, vehicle fitness, safety norms, approved fare, parking requirements, helpline for passengers, emission standards and feedback mechanism, as spelled out.
The office also clarified that under Rule 6 (b) 11, “The driver will not pick up passengers by street hailing”- a specific complaint received which the RTA in its meeting took cognisance of, and for which the concerned authority has been instructed to take action.
“A timeline has been given for existing and prospective operators to comply with the rules,” the office said.
