Union launches longer share-a-taxi route in Mumbai to sustain black-and-yellow taxi business

Squeezed by competition such as Ola and Uber, taxi union starts 15-km Mankhurd-Carnac Bunder route; requests permission for 25 more routes

Faced with competition from app-based aggregators such as Ola and Uber and alternative transport modes coming up such as the Metro and Monorail, unions of the traditional black-and-yellow taxis and auto-rickshaws are pushing for more share-a-taxi and share-an-auto routes across Mumbai.

For travelling on the 15-km Mankhurd-Carnac Bunder route, four passengers have to pay Rs 90 each. (HT File)

The unions said they are inspired by the rising popularity of ride-sharing options offered by these aggregators.

In one such effort, Swabhiman Taxi-Rickshaw Union, led by legislator Nitesh Rane, has introduced share-a-taxi services between Mankhurd and Carnac Bunder, via Eastern Freeway, the fastest road corridor connecting south Mumbai with the eastern suburbs. For travelling on the 15-km route, four passengers have to pay Rs 90 each.

It is probably one of the longest share-a-taxi routes any taxi union has introduced of late. Generally, unions prefer shorter routes, between half kilometre and five.

KK Tiwari, leader of Swabhiman Taxi-Rickshaw Union, said competition from app-based cabs and expected future competition from Metro-Mono rail lines have prompted them to look at longer routes. “The black-and-yellow taxi business on long routes is almost finished after Ola and Uber came to the city. Such share-a-taxi routes could provide better earning to the poor taxi drivers,” Tiwari said. “Passengers will get point-to-point service at cheaper rates than with app-based cabs.”