Hyderabad: Ola and Uber taxis are fast disappearing off the streets of Hyderabad. In the past, these two companies had about 1,20,000 taxis in two cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. But now their number has come down to 40,000. Similarly, there has been a drastic reduction in the number of vehicles playing between the city and the airport.
According to Taxi Drivers Association officials, the condition of taxi drivers is extremely poor. Their condition has not improved since the coronavirus lockdown. Their financial situation is deteriorating with each passing day. Thousands of drivers were unable to pay their taxis installments to banks. When the situation started to improve after the flood, 5,000 taxi drivers were affected as water damaged their vehicles.
After the flood, banks started stopping vehicles, causing many drivers to drive their cabs at night to earn their livelihood. The government was informed about the difficulties faced by these drivers. However, the government did not announce any relief for him.
According to the drivers, IT companies were the biggest source of their income in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. But from the situation that developed after the coronovirus lockdown, there is no hope that things will return to normal soon. Conversely, a new culture of ‘work from home’ is being promoted in the IT sector, which is likely to continue at least next year.In this situation, the taxi drivers as well as its owners are facing extreme financial difficulties. Uber and Ola drivers share the same condition.
