Kochi: The Railways has sought police protection for online cabs operating from the Ernakulam Junction, Thrissur and Thiruvananthapuram railway stations. The police commissioners of these cities had been petitioned in this regard. It said some local trade union leaders were blocking taxis in these stations.
The complaint said cab hailer Ola, which had the permit to operate taxis from Ernakulam Junction, could not even launch its services due to the blockade.
There were complaints that the police were in connivance with some unions. While the choice of conveyance was entirely with the traveler, neither the police nor the Railways were guaranteeing this.
The district collector had intervened successfully when a similar situation existed at the Cochin International Airport.
P Krishnakumar, member, Railway Users Consultative Committee, said the unions were denying the people their right to travel in vehicles of their choice. It was wrong to deny them the right to travel at affordable rates.
The system, which was operating out of all major railway stations in the country, was being opposed only in Kerala, sources said.
The authorities said pre-paid auto-rickshaws operating from Ernakulam had not paid any fee to the Railways. Even if they did, they had no right to insist that other services should not be banished from the station, sources said.
K Jyotish, a commuter, said online taxis were preferred due to transparent billing and better driver behavior. He said online taxis seldom refused to ply to destinations unlike conventional ones.
Online taxis sometimes offload passengers at the second entry at the SRM Road near Ernakulam Town for fear of auto-rickshaw unions at the main entrance.
Online taxis now had the permit to pick up passengers from the stations itself. And those who do not have smartphones can book taxis from the counter. The commercial wing of the Railways said online taxis were also allowed to park at the stations.
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