Here’s why a group of auto drivers in Kerala wouldn’t let an Uber taxi go further ahead. (Source: Vidya Gopalakrishnan/YouTube)
Most people today, especially with the lack of hard cash in hand now, rely a lot on online taxi services. These cab services come across as convenient, hassle-free and even cheaper than the autos and taxis that charge exorbitant rates. Just like a lot of us would do, Vidya Gopalakrishnan in Kerala, apparently booked a cab from the Ernakulam railway station to Kakkanad, only to be stopped by auto drivers who asked her to get off.
Gopalakrishnan uploaded a YouTube video of a couple of autorickshaw drivers stopping the cab from leaving the station. Talking in Malayalam, these guys threaten the cab driver asking him why has he picked a customer from the station when he knows it’s a ‘written rule’. And when they see the girl making a video, the furious drivers tell her that it’s going to be of no use.
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The group of drivers keep harassing the girl and the driver, in spite of her telling them that it is her preferred mode of commuting because she feels safe and assured. In the verbal spat, after stating her preference, she even asked if there is any such law that prohibits online booked taxis in that area.
The drivers say there is a ‘written rule’ by the Transport Commission that these taxis aren’t allowed, and threatened her that she will have to take her luggage and leave if she doesn’t comply!
Later in a Facebook post, Gopalakrishnan said the driver bravely faced the autorickshaw drivers and the Police, and requested people to support him too.
The video was shared many times on social media and garnered a lot of attention. The YouTube video itself has got over 82, 462 views at the time of writing.
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- Dec 2, 2016 at 4:44 amThis is quite obvious in Kerala citing tourist business and communism. Lack of knowing language make tourist more vulnerable. i am surprised they threat even local people.i booked tickets back from thrissur to bangalore with pickup point manuthey.. i am shocked to see that place is dark, isolated and no roof for pengers. i dont understand how somebody selected manuthey as pickup point in entire thrissur.. no safety for children, ladies in late night and mosquito biting. it was horrible. everyone who booked tickets should stand on bye p road till bus comes and it never reaches on time.. the contact number person picks up call with great excitment . on complaining he says the number was incorrectly updated on website i am happy that vidya exposed her community behaviour who knows language... there are multiple sub communisms and this is how everybody will be ill treated not restricted to tourist but open to local also.Reply
