This story is from May 20, 2020

One-rider rule: People prefer cabs to autos in Delhi

One-rider rule: People prefer cabs to autos in Delhi
Representative Image
NEW DELHI: With autorickshaws not allowed to ferry more than one passenger at a time, cabs and taxis were preferred modes of transport in Delhi on Tuesday. They are allowed to ferry maximum two passengers.
In the morning, cabs picking up passengers from New Delhi Railway Station outnumbered autorickshaws and kaali peeli by a huge margin.
Most passengers TOI talked to at the station said that they preferred a cab as autorickshaws were not allowed to ferry more than one passenger.
Cabs are air-conditioned and more comfortable than kaali peeli, they added.
Customers demanding AC in their vehicles, however, put many cabs drivers in a fix. App-based cab aggregators, Ola and Uber, have said that cabs will not use AC and customers will have to wear masks compulsorily.
“I had to refuse two passengers as they insisted that I switch on the AC. I requested that either of us could be carrying an infection and the AC would result in the virus spreading,” said Amit (named changed), a driver.
“The customers insisted that air conditioning wouldn’t be a problem as both of us were wearing masks, but I requested them to take another cab. I can’t risk getting an infection,” he added.
“I was on the verge of starvation and the permission to operate has come as a breather for me. But now, we have to bear the additional cost of sanitising the cab after each trip,” said another driver on the condition of anonymity.

“I have bought a kit worth Rs 400, but don’t know how long it will last. Many drivers have put up plastic sheet to cover the driver’s area and I may also buy one,” he added.
“Three members of the same family should have been allowed to share a ride,” opined Kamaljit Gill, president of Sarvodaya Drivers Association of Delhi.
“Many drivers have left Delhi. This led to shortage of cabs and surge pricing today,” he added.
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