Lonavala: Local taxi unions’ protest forces Ola, Uber to shut ‘outgoing services’

Mahesh Kedari, president of the Maharashtra Vahatuk Sena’s Pune District unit and a resident of Baramati, said “Ola and Uber relented when local taxi operators exerted pressure by taking up the issue with the municipal body and the police”.

On Saturday, various taxi unions across the city, including the Lonavala-Khandala Chalak Malak Sanghatna and the Maharashtra Vahatuk Sanghatna, had organised a ‘thanksgiving’ rally. Mayor Surekha Jadhav and Deputy Mayor Shridhar Poojari were also participated in the rally.

Kedari said, “Entry of Ola and Uber in the market means that local taxi operators will have to compete with those who come form Pune and Mumbai. The city is mostly dependent on tourism, as there’s no other industry around. Outsiders eating into our share will also affect the career prospects of the younger generation. So, we opposed the operations of Ola and Uber and succeeded.”

Whoever will book a cab through Ola and Uber apps from the restricted areas will get a ‘service not available’ error message. According to Kedari, Ola and Uber cabs can come to drop the passengers from outstations but would have to leave the municipal limits empty. This, sources said, may force app-based cab services to avoid a trip to Lonavala due to financial non-viability, which can also affect tourism.

Kedari, however, said, “It’s okay if they don’t accept trips to Lonavala. Those wanting to come can take the train, bus or conventional taxis.”

Response from Ola and Uber couldn’t be obtained.