Bengaluru: Cab services put on hold after Covid pay cut kills driver

Cab services were put on hold after a driver alighted himself at Bengaluru International Airport the previous evening. The passengers were requested to use the BMTC bus service for travel to and from BLR Airport or make their own arrangements as per the passenger advisory.

“The driver gave in to 70 percent burns which led the union to take such a decision”, said Tanveer Pasha, President of Karnataka Ola, Uber Drivers, and Owners Association. He also added that it was an unfortunate incident to lose the drivers due to a rise in fuel prices and inflation. Struggling to earn a livelihood has been a challenge to these drivers since the advent of the lockdown imposed last year.

He also highlighted that the drivers who drive for private online cab aggregators are facing the impact as their pay has been reduced due to changes in tariffs. This was introduced to capture the market. They have demanded the state government to introduce a uniform tariff system for all taxicabs but the appeal is yet to be accepted.

The driver, identified as Pratap had set himself ablaze near the passenger pick-up area at the Kempegowda International Airport on Tuesday evening. The Police officials confirmed that he hailed from Ramanagara district. Pratap had locked himself in his car before pouring petrol over himself and lighting a match.

“He had suffered from serious burns by the time other drivers and Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) officers rushed to the spot to distinguish the fire and take him to a hospital. After primary investigation, we have got to know that he was in financial trouble. He was unable to pay back loans for his car attached to KSTDC”, a police officer said.

Due to this incident, drivers gathered in front of the airport to raise their voice against discounted fares offered by private online cab aggregators.