Mumbai Cab Drivers Unite Against Illegal Private Cars on Uber, Highlight Passenger Safety Concerns

*Mumbai’s cab drivers are raising alarms about private vehicles operating on the Uber platform, claiming these practices compromise passenger safety and violate transport regulations.*

An umbrella union representing aggregator cab drivers has lodged formal complaints with regional transport offices (RTOs), alleging that numerous private cars are illegally providing services through Uber. According to transport rules, only commercial vehicles with a valid T-permit can operate on aggregator platforms.

Union representatives estimate that between 250 to 300 private cars are currently functioning as taxis on Uber, many of which are linked to companies that primarily cater to corporate clients and call centers. Drivers have expressed frustration, claiming they receive secondary preference for passenger requests while private drivers get priority.

Anand Kute, organizing secretary of the Maharashtra Rajya Rashtriya Kamgar Sangh (MRRKS), emphasized the legal implications of this situation. “We have reported our findings to both Uber and the RTOs, providing the necessary evidence. The core issue here is passenger safety, as the identity and background of these drivers may not be verifiable,” he stated.

In December, Uber implemented a feature allowing passengers to record driver conversations, but unions question the safety measures for private vehicles. Concerns were raised about whether these cars are equipped with essential safety features, such as speed governors and emergency buttons.

Another union member criticized the lack of clarity from the government regarding the legality of private cars serving as taxis. He pointed out, “We ensure our vehicles have fitness certificates, install speed governors, and bear the associated operating costs, which private car owners do not. Licensed cab operators are required to have the appropriate permits and pay taxes.”

An RTO officer confirmed that only vehicles with proper commercial taxi permits are authorized to transport passengers. Transport experts echoed these concerns, urging aggregator companies like Uber to take responsibility for the types of vehicles they allow on their platforms to ensure passenger safety.