Auto-rickshaw drivers here staged a demonstration outside a regional transport office (RTO) on Monday against the ban on their services that was imposed by ride-hailing platforms - Ola, Uber and Rapido.
The Karnataka Transport Department issued a notice on Thursday asking the aggregators to immediately stop operating "illegal auto-rickshaw services." It said the drivers were fleecing the public and were given three days' time to furnish any details they have to continue operating their auto-rickshaws.
According to officials of the department, the aggregators failed to provide any details and did not make any plea. The department on Monday launched its drive against the aggregator-linked auto-rickshaw services. They penalised a few drivers associated with the ride-hailing companies.
At the demonstration, a large number of drivers parked their vehicles and raised slogans. Meanwhile, the aggregators continued to show auto-rickshaw services on their mobile applications. They declined to comment on the government notice.
The Transport Department officials, too, remained tight-lipped on why these companies were showing auto-rickshaw services on their applications and not paying heed to the government order.
(With PTI inputs)
