Despite easing of restrictions, autos and cabs yet to pick up patronage

Chennai

However, this does not translate into business for drivers, who say that the rising number of cases in the city and fear have residents holed up in their homes.

Drivers operating through a ride-share app say that the number of requests has gone down significantly. “Even during peak hours, there are no requests for rides. I’ve kept the app open all day and still no requests have come by. It’s pointless to travel around the city searching for rides as that means we have to incur the petrol costs,” said Bhavani M, an auto driver.

Abandoning this effort, many have taken to scouring the streets for passengers, but to no avail. “For the last four days, the roads have been deserted. I can carry two passengers with me, but nobody wants to come because they are afraid of stepping out of their homes. I have sanitised my auto and provided hand sanitisers, but people are very hesitant,” said another auto driver.

Re-opening of offices and other commercial establishments like restaurants has done little to help the situations, said a cab driver operating out of Anna Nagar. “I thought that with some people returning to work, I would have more passengers. But offices have organised for their own cabs to pick up and drop off their employees. This has dashed any hopes for me to get any rides,” he said.