Ban on Ola cabs revoked due to public outcry

Team Udayavani, Mar 25, 2019, 12:46 PM IST

Bengaluru: The State Transport Department has revoked its ban on Ola organisation, whose permit to run taxis was earlier cancelled for by the Department for starting Bike Taxi service in the capital in violation of the existing rules. Hence, Ola cabs began to function as per usual from Sunday March 24^th.

The Transport Department was compelled to revoke the ban due to the pressure from the state government. The state government in turn had to the act due to the protest voiced by the public and affected cab drivers against the suspension of cab services.

The sudden suspension of aggregator license of Ola by the Transport Department attracted outrage from the public and cab drivers. While lakhs of people depend on Ola cab service for commuting, there are thousands drivers who earn the livelihood for their families through this service.

The public took to social media to express their discontent by posting, “Under the prevailing situation it is not right on the part of the transport department to cancel the permit suddenly. If the organization has violated the rules, it can be warned and a fine may be slapped. But it is not right to suspend the permit all of a sudden. The public will be greatly inconvenienced due to the suspension of the cab service. The government has to resolve the issue immediately.”

Objecting the sudden suspension of the aggregator license of Ola, Minister for social welfare Priyank Kharge said, “It is not right on the part of the transport department to suspend the license of Ola suddenly. If the organization has erred, there is an opportunity to warn them and slap a fine. The well being of thousands of drivers and lakhs of passengers should have been considered before suspending the license. Suspending the license is not the solution for the error that is committed.”

“There will be negative impact on the investment, startups and tourism due to the suspension of the permit. The officers of the transport department should have sought the suggestion from the government and the chief secretary before sending out the suspension order. However, they have not approached anyone. I have discussed this issue with the chief minister and deputy chief minister and they have responded positively. The order of suspension is taken back by the government with immediate effect,” informed the minister.