GUWAHATI: The state government launched their first ever city cab service through an app known as 'ASTC City Cab' in the month of June, under which various drivers have registered. This cab service is affordable in comparison to Ola and Uber. Being the first ever cab service in the city, people are still facing problems related to it. The main issue turns out to be the fare of the cabs.
According to one customer, "We were happy as we thought that we would be able to avail taxis for a legit amount without being asked to pay extra for our ride. People were already very distressed by the increasing fares of Uber and Ola. But now ASTC City Cab is charging us more, as the drivers ask for an extra amount to be paid."
Another one said, "Though these private cabs do not charge an extra amount, other private enterprises like Rapido or Uber Moto charge an extra amount as they show a lower amount on it. ASTC Cab drivers have started charging more for every ride we book, and sometimes it is far more than the amount that is shown on the app."
Talking to the Sentinel, one ASTC Cab driver said, "We do not receive much profit like that of Ola, Uber, Rapido, etc. This service is not well known to people, and accordingly, we get fewer customers. There is 20 per cent of commission we need to pay, added with GST, petrol, and others, and at the end we gain a very little amount."
Another driver said, "As this is a government app, people should be made more aware of this app so that they can book us. On a daily basis, sometimes we get only 2 or 3 customers. Because of Rapido and Moto, people don't book us, as there the fare shown is very low.
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