Drivers’ strike takes Meru Cabs off roads for a day

Meru Cabs, the private taxi service running a fleet of 1,700 air-conditioned taxis in Mumbai, went off roads on Tuesday after drivers refused to work until their demands were met, reports HT Correspondent.

Meru Cabs, the private taxi service running a fleet of 1,700 air-conditioned taxis in Mumbai, went off roads on Tuesday after drivers refused to work until their demands were met.

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Officials from Meru claimed only 50 cabs were off the roads and services resumed on Tuesday evening after the management had a meeting with drivers to sort out their grievances.

The drivers wanted a day off every week instead of once a month.

Rajesh Puri, chief executive officer, Meru, said: “These drivers are individual businessmen and we don’t have any control over them. If they want leave, they can simply log out of the system.”

Drivers also wanted their share of the daily earnings, from the total earnings they hand over to Meru, increased.

“We also wanted our daily contribution to be increased from Rs 800 to Rs 850 and that has been done,” said a driver on condition of anonymity because he is not authorised to speak to the media.

Another problem the drivers had was the time taken at service centres to service the cabs.

“It takes a whole day to service a cab which means we lose a day’s earnings,” said another driver.

Meru officials said they would meet the service centre personnel and ensure servicing does not take more than five hours.

The drivers complained that the company rules and regulations were constantly changing to deduct more money from the driver’s kitty.

Transport Commissioner Deepak Kapoor said he will have a meeting with the company to sensitise them about drivers’ problems.

“Meru has assured me that things have been sorted out,” Kapoor said.