Nagpur: The no-pick-up, no-drop strike by app-based cab drivers at the airport ended on Wednesday night after district collector Kumar Ashirwad assured that offences would be registered against the aggregator companies if allowed bike ride services in violation of the Motor Vehicles Act. Cabbies had been on strike for the last one week demanding higher fares as well as removal of bike riders from the aggregators’ apps, adverse impact on their business. The drivers also alleged that the bikers were engaged without a commercial licence in violation of RTO rules. The collector told TOI that the bikes would now be detained and fined. However, if the bikers are found operating without a commercial licence, offences would be registered against aggregators concerned. “A hefty fine is expected to discourage the bikers. Like the cabs, even the bikes need a commercial licence if services are to be offered for a charge,” he said. The administration will also conduct an awareness drive warning bikers not to get on board on the apps without a commercial licence.Meanwhile, two leaders, Deepak Sane and Rishi Kuwar of Tax Chalak Malak Kruti Samiti, the driver union which organised the strike, confirmed that the strike ended.Sane told TOI that they also expected assurance over a hike in fares. The seven-day strike left the drivers in financial crisis too. Kuwar said the collector also agreed that the fares should be in line with the schedule drawn by the Regional Transport Authority (RTA).Box Taxi Chalak Malak Kruti Samiti Sangh leader Deepak Sane has urged the local authorities to reconsider the proposal of having its own app for transport services. A proposal was put up before the NMC over a year ago but the plan did not take off. “Having an app run by a govt body would give the drivers freedom,” he said.
