Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru Nov 24: After a long wait, Ola taxi service officially began from November 21 at Mangaluru international airport.

The long tussle between the Ola taxi drivers and airport taxi drivers has finally come to an end and Ola taxi drivers have gained upper hand in the battle. Supreme Court had given green signal to start app-based taxi service in country's ten international airports, based on which Mangaluru international airport authority had invited a tender in this regard.

Now, the Ola taxi service has acquired a tender for the next three years from November 19 and even the prepaid taxis at the airport have been given tender for three years to run their service at the Mangaluru international airport. 

Speaking on the occasion, president of district Ola taxi drivers and owners association B K Imthiyaz said, “We are indeed happy that Ola got permit to start app-based taxi service at the airport. We have been permitted to begin service from November 21, but some airport taxi drivers are still opposing. On November 23, four passengers could not board our taxi. Passengers had booked Ola and our drivers had to wait for 40 minutes for the passengers. When driver phoned the passenger who booked the taxi had said that airport taxi drivers had taken them at fewer prices to their destination,"

“We have complained to Bajpe police station regarding this and we will fight until justice is provided,” added Imthiyaz.

President of district Ola association Sathyendra Shetty, vice-presidnet Munavar, Ola company legal advisor Kamaruddin, Ola company Mangaluru region officials Sujith Kundar,Gopla Krishna, Rakesh Kumar and others were present on the occasion.

It may be recalled that Ola and Uber taxi drivers were allegedly attacked by airport taxi drivers at the airport on November 7.