Pune: Tensions intensified among autorickshaw drivers and their unions, who have already been protesting Rapido’s bike taxi service, after Uber entered the market.Members of the Rickshaw Panchayat and other unions staged a protest outside the Pune collector’s office on Wednesday, demanding action against the companies. “We are distressed. If the authorities do not take immediate action, we will intensify our protests. These operators are eating into our business and, more importantly, operating illegally,” said Nitin Pawar, president of Rickshaw Panchayat.Keshav Kshirsagar, president of Baghtoy Rikshawala and the Indian Gig Workers Front, said an FIR should be registered against Uber without delay. His organisations have planned a protest for Nov 2. “Even after an FIR was registered against Rapido, its bike taxis continue to operate freely. These companies are doing as they please because the authorities are not strict,” he said.Auto drivers said the bike taxi option appeared on the Uber app from Tuesday afternoon, prompting fresh demands for stricter action against both companies. Mohammad Sadiq, an autorickshaw driver from Vimannagar, said drivers had begun monitoring other ride-hailing applications after Rapido continued offering bike-taxi services despite an FIR against the company.TOI sent a query to Uber on WhatsApp on Tuesday. Its response was awaited at the time of going to press.“Since Rapido’s bike-taxi option became active and its riders started ferrying passengers, we have been keeping an eye on other applications too. On Tuesday, we noticed the option on Uber as well. It is shocking that both companies are operating an unauthorised service despite the authorities being aware of the situation,” he said.On the other hand, commuters welcomed the expansion of bike taxi service. Suraj Chavan, a working professional from Shivajinagar, said bike taxis offered an affordable and convenient alternative. “Autorickshaw and cab drivers now talk about legality, but many overcharge, refuse rides and fleece passengers. Bike taxis should be permitted through a proper approval because they provide quick and affordable transport,” he said.Pune RTO officials confirmed that Uber had started offering bike-taxi services, adding that neither of the companies had received permission for the bike taxi operations in the city.“They are operating illegally, and we have asked our squads to intensify checks and enforcement drives. Action was also being taken against bike taxi riders in Pimpri Chinchwad. An FIR could be lodged against Uber as well,” said a senior RTO official.An RTO source estimated that over 1,500 bike taxi riders could be working for Rapido and Uber and the number may rise. Many are working professionals who take up rides as a part-time job to supplement income, the source said. “Tracking them remains difficult because they operate in a coordinated manner. If one or two riders are caught, they circulate the cellphone numbers used to book their rides, allowing other riders to block those numbers,” the source said.The Pune police commissioner had told TOI that the police asked Google and Apple to remove Rapido’s application from their respective application stores. The move came after Rapido continued offering the bike taxi option despite an FIR against it.
