Bustle back on city roads but taxis, autorickshaws devoid of customers

For Bhavani M, an auto driver, the situation is better than how things were before June 19, just before the complete shutdown. However, this means little when the number of passengers remains negligible. “I get around two to three rides daily. However, very few are through any ride-share app, rather, it is through roaming the streets looking for passengers. Many are opting to either use their own vehicles or a family member’s vehicle to go to office,” she said.

Autos are in more demand than cabs, she said. This is an opinion shared by Srinivasan, a cab driver working through a popular ride-sharing app. “Autos are open, and there is no air conditioning, so people are more comfortable. Even if I keep my windows down and switch off the A/C, customers still not willing to book a ride. Unless offices are far from their homes, people are not booking cabs,” he said.

According to Yasmin Jawahar Ali, CEO of M Auto, it is difficult for their fleet and drivers to find reliable work during the shutdown, which is driving many to go back on the road. “We have asked drivers to avoid going on the road due to safety concerns, but they too are looking to earn some money after so many days of shutdown.

The only reliable rides for drivers are hospital visits or senior citizens looking to travel, which they book a few days in advance. Aside from that, there is no assurance for rides,” she said.